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. . ?6 v( d' p! M0 d* q% @& _( [* Y& I
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. * B/ s( Q; H2 e3 ? 5 Q% u- s! ~9 B- {! z( [This marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.2 J4 Z/ p3 _5 f: v/ {& Z
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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 C$ X; F9 w* g( B7 @% X. M3 ]6 \
) J! ~' F& S1 W" M# s+ K, JFollowing the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position. - I0 j* l9 G \5 C m8 i& {2 F/ y. O5 O1 d3 P! T; h
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 g8 i; K, [" h' y# y5 m. z( [' S$ \) j3 y6 b$ L8 U' c7 a) F! s$ B1 Y
From:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/chi ... ontent_17174832.htm