China
Chang´e to reach apogee of over 120,000 km
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Source: CCTV.com | 10-30-2007 15:05
Special Report: Chang'e I -Journey to the Moon |
China's first moon orbiter, Chang'e-One, is expected to arrive at its furthest point yet -- more than 120,000 kilometers away from Earth -- later on Tuesday.
It's due to happen at about 6:00 p.m., Beijing time. The lunar probe will stay in a 48-hour orbit until Wednesday, setting a new record apogee for a Chinese spacecraft. Meanwhile, ultraviolet image sensors installed on the satellite have begun working to collect information on the earth and the moon. The captured images will be transmitted back to earth when it enters the lunar orbit.
The probe is scheduled to enter the Earth-Moon transfer orbit on Wednesday. This critical juncture is necessary for the satellite to fly to the moon successfully. According to the data received from various surveillance sources so far, all systems of the satellite are working normally.
Editor:Zhang Ning
