标题: 【Daily Reading】 Chang'e-3 moon landing set for Sat. [打印本页] 作者: vivian 时间: 2013-12-14 21:48 标题: 【Daily Reading】 Chang'e-3 moon landing set for Sat. BEIJING - China's lunar probe Chang'e-3 landed on the moon on Saturday night, according to sources in charge of the mission. The entire process of soft-landing lasted 12 minutes and was performed by the probe itself, said the sources on Saturday, adding that the Chang'e-3 mission has so far proceeded as planned. ' c+ m6 O2 l8 }0 S: j: i! G2 H {( T% |7 R- H5 @/ \
The probe started decelerating from 15 km above the lunar surface and its relative speed was reduced from 1.7 km/s to nil. It stayed suspended at 100 meters above the moon to assess the landing area to avoid obstacles and locate the final landing spot.# O. m) L a# x$ L6 c! W5 X$ i
7 w Q! P. o B* C6 b4 RThis marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.3 U- w: u# r& S6 a( p
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Chang'e-3 landed in Sinus Iridum, or the Bay of Rainbows, a lunar area that remains unstudied and should enable smooth communication and ample sunshine with its level terrain.7 L- z/ ?5 j! |
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Following the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position.# Y, p( R G3 T. {
# {9 M x [1 W0 p! QChina launched the Chang'e-3 lunar probe with the country's first moon rover onboard on December 2, marking a significant step toward deep space exploration." C! x/ T% Q# m) Y( @3 O y2 i