China launches Chang'e-5 to collect, return moon samples on November 24, 2020
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Chang'e-5 orbiter-returner completes orbital maneuver to prepare for return
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-12 12:50:04 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The orbiter-returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe on Saturday completed an orbital maneuver, preparing to leave the lunar orbit for a trajectory that returns it to Earth, according to the China National Space Administration.
After about six days in lunar orbit, the orbiter-returner combination completed the maneuver at 9:54 a.m. (Beijing Time), changing from a nearly circular orbit to an elliptical orbit with a perilune altitude of 200 km.
The orbiter-returner combination is scheduled to have another orbital maneuver to escape lunar gravity and enter the moon-Earth transfer orbit to return to Earth.
Chang'e-5 is one of the most complicated and challenging missions in China's aerospace history. It is also the world's first moon-sample mission in more than 40 years.
The probe, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24, and its lander-ascender combination touched down on the north of the Mons Rumker in Oceanus Procellarum, also known as the Ocean of Storms, on the near side of the moon on Dec. 1.
The probe's returner is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-12 12:50:04 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The orbiter-returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe on Saturday completed an orbital maneuver, preparing to leave the lunar orbit for a trajectory that returns it to Earth, according to the China National Space Administration.
After about six days in lunar orbit, the orbiter-returner combination completed the maneuver at 9:54 a.m. (Beijing Time), changing from a nearly circular orbit to an elliptical orbit with a perilune altitude of 200 km.
The orbiter-returner combination is scheduled to have another orbital maneuver to escape lunar gravity and enter the moon-Earth transfer orbit to return to Earth.
Chang'e-5 is one of the most complicated and challenging missions in China's aerospace history. It is also the world's first moon-sample mission in more than 40 years.
The probe, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24, and its lander-ascender combination touched down on the north of the Mons Rumker in Oceanus Procellarum, also known as the Ocean of Storms, on the near side of the moon on Dec. 1.
The probe's returner is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.
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Chang'e-5 orbiter-returner enters moon-Earth transfer orbit
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-13 13:09:47 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The orbiter-returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe conducted its second orbital maneuver at 9:51 a.m. on Sunday and entered the moon-Earth transfer orbit, sources with the China National Space Administration said.
Four 150N engines on the orbiter-returner combination ignited when they were 230 km away from the lunar surface and shut down after 22 minutes, the administration said in a statement.
According to real-time monitoring data, the orbiter-returner combination entered the targeted orbit successfully.
Later, the spacecraft combination carrying lunar samples will conduct orbital correction during its journey to Earth. When the time is right, the orbiter and returner will separate from one another, according to the administration.
The Chang'e-5, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24. Its orbiter-returner combination completed its first orbital maneuver on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-13 13:09:47 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The orbiter-returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe conducted its second orbital maneuver at 9:51 a.m. on Sunday and entered the moon-Earth transfer orbit, sources with the China National Space Administration said.
Four 150N engines on the orbiter-returner combination ignited when they were 230 km away from the lunar surface and shut down after 22 minutes, the administration said in a statement.
According to real-time monitoring data, the orbiter-returner combination entered the targeted orbit successfully.
Later, the spacecraft combination carrying lunar samples will conduct orbital correction during its journey to Earth. When the time is right, the orbiter and returner will separate from one another, according to the administration.
The Chang'e-5, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24. Its orbiter-returner combination completed its first orbital maneuver on Saturday.
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Chang'e-5 completes first orbital correction en route to Earth
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-14 12:36:22 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Chang'e-5 probe on Monday completed its first orbital correction en route to Earth, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The orbital correction was conducted at 11:13 a.m. (Beijing Time) when the two 25N engines on the orbiter-returner combination were operational for about 28 seconds.
The CNSA said all systems on the orbiter-returner combination that carries lunar samples are currently in good condition.
The orbiter-returner combination entered the moon-Earth transfer orbit on Sunday.
When the time is right, the orbiter and returner will separate from one another, according to the CNSA. The probe's returner is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.
Chang'e-5 is one of the most complicated and challenging missions in China's aerospace history. It is also the world's first moon-sample mission in more than 40 years.
The probe, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24, and its lander-ascender combination touched down on the north of the Mons Rumker in Oceanus Procellarum, also known as the Ocean of Storms, on the near side of the moon on Dec. 1.
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-14 12:36:22 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Chang'e-5 probe on Monday completed its first orbital correction en route to Earth, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The orbital correction was conducted at 11:13 a.m. (Beijing Time) when the two 25N engines on the orbiter-returner combination were operational for about 28 seconds.
The CNSA said all systems on the orbiter-returner combination that carries lunar samples are currently in good condition.
The orbiter-returner combination entered the moon-Earth transfer orbit on Sunday.
When the time is right, the orbiter and returner will separate from one another, according to the CNSA. The probe's returner is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.
Chang'e-5 is one of the most complicated and challenging missions in China's aerospace history. It is also the world's first moon-sample mission in more than 40 years.
The probe, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24, and its lander-ascender combination touched down on the north of the Mons Rumker in Oceanus Procellarum, also known as the Ocean of Storms, on the near side of the moon on Dec. 1.
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North China readies for homecoming of Chang'e-5's capsule
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-15 22:11:37 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the Chang'e-5 probe will bring moon samples back to Earth, its preset landing site in Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is ready for its return, according to the search and retrieval team of the mission on Tuesday.
To meet the challenges brought by harsh weather, heavy snow, the small size of the return capsule and the special returning method, the search and retrieval team in the landing site has conducted several drills to test its night-time searching abilities and equipment performance.
The return capsule of Chang'e-5 probe is only one-seventh the size of the return capsule of China's manned spaceship, however, its landing area is 16 times larger, adding difficulties to the search mission.
According to Bian Hancheng from the search team, the probe on the Chang'e-5 return capsule will adopt a skip reentry method mimicking a skipping stone, which will make it difficult to control and result in a particularly large retrieval area.
The search team has taken many technical measures to face those challenges. The processed radar data will be sent to the helicopters and vehicles to guide them in the retrieval of the capsule.
The team also conducted nearly 30 terrain surveys of the landing area.
Chang'e-5 is one of the most complicated and challenging missions in China's aerospace history. It is also the world's first moon-sample mission in more than 40 years.
The Chang'e-5 probe, comprising of an orbiter, lander, ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24, and its lander-ascender combination touched down on the north of the Mons Rumker in Oceanus Procellarum, also known as the Ocean of Storms, on the near side of the moon on Dec. 1.
The returner of the probe is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.
Source: Xinhua | 2020-12-15 22:11:37 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the Chang'e-5 probe will bring moon samples back to Earth, its preset landing site in Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is ready for its return, according to the search and retrieval team of the mission on Tuesday.
To meet the challenges brought by harsh weather, heavy snow, the small size of the return capsule and the special returning method, the search and retrieval team in the landing site has conducted several drills to test its night-time searching abilities and equipment performance.
The return capsule of Chang'e-5 probe is only one-seventh the size of the return capsule of China's manned spaceship, however, its landing area is 16 times larger, adding difficulties to the search mission.
According to Bian Hancheng from the search team, the probe on the Chang'e-5 return capsule will adopt a skip reentry method mimicking a skipping stone, which will make it difficult to control and result in a particularly large retrieval area.
The search team has taken many technical measures to face those challenges. The processed radar data will be sent to the helicopters and vehicles to guide them in the retrieval of the capsule.
The team also conducted nearly 30 terrain surveys of the landing area.
Chang'e-5 is one of the most complicated and challenging missions in China's aerospace history. It is also the world's first moon-sample mission in more than 40 years.
The Chang'e-5 probe, comprising of an orbiter, lander, ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov. 24, and its lander-ascender combination touched down on the north of the Mons Rumker in Oceanus Procellarum, also known as the Ocean of Storms, on the near side of the moon on Dec. 1.
The returner of the probe is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.
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China issues document to boost global cooperation on lunar samples
By Zhao Lei | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2021-01-18 10:28
Chang'e 5's probe gathers samples on the moon on Dec 2, 2020. CNSA/XINHUA
China published its Regulations on the Management of Lunar Samples on Monday morning, aiming to improve scientific research and international cooperation.
Developed by the China National Space Administration, the document has nine chapters and 37 clauses, governing the storage, management and use of lunar samples brought back by the country's Chang'e 5 mission.
According to the regulations, the samples will be divided into four categories -- permanent storage, backup storage, research, and public-interest purposes.
In terms of international cooperation, the document stipulates that the samples' distribution will be in accordance with international treaties China has signed or taken part in. Meanwhile, the China National Space Administration has encouraged researchers at home and abroad to use the samples in joint studies on space science and to share their findings with each other.
The regulations were published by the administration at an open house for a small group of foreign diplomats to China and representatives from some international organizations to the Chinese Academy of Sciences' National Astronomical Observatories in northern Beijing. The activity was hosted by the administration and the academy.
The most significant event in China's space field, and also one of the world's most notable space activities, in 2020 – the Chang'e 5 robotic mission – was launched on Nov 24 at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in South China's Hainan province and successfully landed on the moon on Dec 1, becoming the world's third spacecraft to touch down on the lunar surface since the mid-1970s after its predecessors – Chang'e 3 and 4.
The landmark mission returned 1,731 grams of lunar rocks and soil back to Earth on Dec 17, achieving a historic accomplishment about 44 years after the last lunar substances were brought back from our nearest celestial neighbor.
The 23-day mission was China's first space journey that has retrieved extraterrestrial samples, also making China the third country to harvest this feat, after the United States and the former Soviet Union.
The samples were delivered from the space administration to the National Astronomical Observatories in late December.
By Zhao Lei | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2021-01-18 10:28
China published its Regulations on the Management of Lunar Samples on Monday morning, aiming to improve scientific research and international cooperation.
Developed by the China National Space Administration, the document has nine chapters and 37 clauses, governing the storage, management and use of lunar samples brought back by the country's Chang'e 5 mission.
According to the regulations, the samples will be divided into four categories -- permanent storage, backup storage, research, and public-interest purposes.
In terms of international cooperation, the document stipulates that the samples' distribution will be in accordance with international treaties China has signed or taken part in. Meanwhile, the China National Space Administration has encouraged researchers at home and abroad to use the samples in joint studies on space science and to share their findings with each other.
The regulations were published by the administration at an open house for a small group of foreign diplomats to China and representatives from some international organizations to the Chinese Academy of Sciences' National Astronomical Observatories in northern Beijing. The activity was hosted by the administration and the academy.
The most significant event in China's space field, and also one of the world's most notable space activities, in 2020 – the Chang'e 5 robotic mission – was launched on Nov 24 at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in South China's Hainan province and successfully landed on the moon on Dec 1, becoming the world's third spacecraft to touch down on the lunar surface since the mid-1970s after its predecessors – Chang'e 3 and 4.
The landmark mission returned 1,731 grams of lunar rocks and soil back to Earth on Dec 17, achieving a historic accomplishment about 44 years after the last lunar substances were brought back from our nearest celestial neighbor.
The 23-day mission was China's first space journey that has retrieved extraterrestrial samples, also making China the third country to harvest this feat, after the United States and the former Soviet Union.
The samples were delivered from the space administration to the National Astronomical Observatories in late December.
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Global Times @globaltimesnews
China state-affiliated media
The lunar soil brought back by China’s Chang 'e-5 probe made its first public appearance at a samples exhibition on Monday in Beijing.
China state-affiliated media
The lunar soil brought back by China’s Chang 'e-5 probe made its first public appearance at a samples exhibition on Monday in Beijing.
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Unofficial report that Chang'e-5 orbiter has arrived at L1 Sun-Earth Lagrange point.
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08:45, 19-Mar-2021
China's Chang'e-5 orbiter enters sun-Earth trajectory
By Gao Yun
A model of China's Chang'e-5 orbiter. /CFP
The orbiter of China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe has successfully entered the halo orbit around the sun-Earth Lagrangian point 1 (L1), becoming the country's first spacecraft in the orbit.
It was captured by the orbit at 1:29 p.m., March 15 under precise control of the ground crew from Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).
The orbiter, in a normal working condition, is now 936,700 kilometers away from Earth. It will remain running in the orbit, with a cycle taking about six months.
The L1 point lies between the sun and Earth, and is about 1.5 million kilometers from the latter. At this point, the force of gravity is roughly equal in all directions, so it's easier for spacecraft to maintain a relatively stable operating state with less fuel required.
It is also the best location to place a solar observatory, as it will not be blocked by the Earth or moon and can continuously observe the sun or the sunward side of Earth.
The orbiter, separated from the returner on December 17, 2020, entered the long-term management stage on December 21. It carried out two orbital maneuvers and two midway corrections under the BACC team's close monitoring and precise operation before reaching the L1 point.
The team will carry out routine management and further tests of the orbiter to provide technical support for the follow-up deep space exploration missions, said Wang Sai, deputy chief designer of BACC.
Other spacecraft – the Chang'e-3 lander, the Chang'e-4 lunar probe and relay satellite and the Tianwen-1 Mars probe – under daily management by the team, are all in good condition and operating normally.
China's Chang'e-5 orbiter enters sun-Earth trajectory
By Gao Yun
A model of China's Chang'e-5 orbiter. /CFP
The orbiter of China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe has successfully entered the halo orbit around the sun-Earth Lagrangian point 1 (L1), becoming the country's first spacecraft in the orbit.
It was captured by the orbit at 1:29 p.m., March 15 under precise control of the ground crew from Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).
The orbiter, in a normal working condition, is now 936,700 kilometers away from Earth. It will remain running in the orbit, with a cycle taking about six months.
The L1 point lies between the sun and Earth, and is about 1.5 million kilometers from the latter. At this point, the force of gravity is roughly equal in all directions, so it's easier for spacecraft to maintain a relatively stable operating state with less fuel required.
It is also the best location to place a solar observatory, as it will not be blocked by the Earth or moon and can continuously observe the sun or the sunward side of Earth.
The orbiter, separated from the returner on December 17, 2020, entered the long-term management stage on December 21. It carried out two orbital maneuvers and two midway corrections under the BACC team's close monitoring and precise operation before reaching the L1 point.
The team will carry out routine management and further tests of the orbiter to provide technical support for the follow-up deep space exploration missions, said Wang Sai, deputy chief designer of BACC.
Other spacecraft – the Chang'e-3 lander, the Chang'e-4 lunar probe and relay satellite and the Tianwen-1 Mars probe – under daily management by the team, are all in good condition and operating normally.
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Chang'e 5 orbiter enters 1st Lagrange Point of Sun-Earth system
Source: Xinhua | 2021-03-19 21:18:24 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chang'e 5 orbiter has successfully entered the First Lagrange (L1) Point of the Sun-Earth system, the Beijing Aerospace Control Center said, adding that it is also China's first spacecraft to enter the L1 Point's exploration orbit.
The center on Thursday said the orbiter is 936,700 kilometers from the earth and working normally with stable attitude and balanced power. It will operate in the exploration orbit of L1 Point of Sun-Earth system with orbital period of about six months.
He Kun, an engineer in the spacecraft long-term management team of the center, said the orbiter separated from the returner on Dec. 17, 2020, and started the long-term management phase on Dec. 21.
The orbiter had spent about 88 days to move to L1 Point of Sun-Earth system after undertaking two orbit maneuvers and two mid-course corrections under the surveillance and control of the team, He added.
The spacecraft long-term management team is also in charge of daily management of Chang'e-3 lander, the lander and the rover of the Chang'e-4 probe, the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge), and Tianwen-1 Mars probe, which are all operating in good condition.
The L1 Point of Sun-Earth system is located on the connecting line between the sun and the earth, about 1.5 million kilometers from the earth. This is the gravitationally dynamic equilibrium point between the earth and the sun.
It is easier for spacecraft to maintain a relatively stable running state and save fuel at the L1 Point of Sun-Earth system, which is also the best position for solar observatory to continuously observe the sun or the sunny side of the earth.
Source: Xinhua | 2021-03-19 21:18:24 | Editor: huaxia
BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chang'e 5 orbiter has successfully entered the First Lagrange (L1) Point of the Sun-Earth system, the Beijing Aerospace Control Center said, adding that it is also China's first spacecraft to enter the L1 Point's exploration orbit.
The center on Thursday said the orbiter is 936,700 kilometers from the earth and working normally with stable attitude and balanced power. It will operate in the exploration orbit of L1 Point of Sun-Earth system with orbital period of about six months.
He Kun, an engineer in the spacecraft long-term management team of the center, said the orbiter separated from the returner on Dec. 17, 2020, and started the long-term management phase on Dec. 21.
The orbiter had spent about 88 days to move to L1 Point of Sun-Earth system after undertaking two orbit maneuvers and two mid-course corrections under the surveillance and control of the team, He added.
The spacecraft long-term management team is also in charge of daily management of Chang'e-3 lander, the lander and the rover of the Chang'e-4 probe, the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge), and Tianwen-1 Mars probe, which are all operating in good condition.
The L1 Point of Sun-Earth system is located on the connecting line between the sun and the earth, about 1.5 million kilometers from the earth. This is the gravitationally dynamic equilibrium point between the earth and the sun.
It is easier for spacecraft to maintain a relatively stable running state and save fuel at the L1 Point of Sun-Earth system, which is also the best position for solar observatory to continuously observe the sun or the sunny side of the earth.
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