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.' k2 o- y# S2 y( D2 G I3 P
" H" ~2 d# B( u( Q% s kThe 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.2 b- z) N8 m" ]6 j
, \' a5 G; T; W8 g1 j+ n% cThis marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.& R) v8 ]/ l; f& i
6 N) A A' T$ Y+ S8 p# LChang'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.) |' _0 l, K2 V) g. N* U
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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. 9 l( i# {" ~8 m4 w8 y$ t6 F! R2 b* I/ L# y2 b
China 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. 2 G9 @( n% X& R A. s" o' S& W# }$ Q# T
From:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/chi ... ontent_17174832.htm