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.; P8 h+ g, d9 s; a3 n2 h& x
0 [8 p% H( n7 o6 J. v" }# 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. F7 [( ]" M' M $ u$ i4 @; {& W9 B* H7 [9 X% r! X- qThis marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body. : ]6 O e9 H' @$ W+ _1 `- Y a; r; C2 f+ d- S% f
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.* [ S. |' e0 B$ }+ T# q
6 ?" ~+ i, p# i1 c6 m: D# q( tFollowing the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position. 8 V; H, n u" L8 L: g ?' c9 C# A2 N( Z$ z' \0 m
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.4 d/ p3 O) O6 t7 z6 k
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From:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/chi ... ontent_17174832.htm