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.3 U8 M( J' ^! R1 S$ j
9 f7 I7 E0 r( x' ]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. $ d7 b/ ~# l& ^% a1 B % X/ T1 P9 b' h" Z1 G/ b( X+ XThis marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body. 9 }' D8 U0 s! `" D" u; |7 k/ \4 o9 k3 t4 R. o# ^ v" y
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. 5 R% j R/ z6 z: Y. o 2 `- K/ S: N4 C0 b, FFollowing the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position. / l+ ]/ Y! P1 R, ^2 K9 m6 v7 z* u( {( }! d7 l r& `- e
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.% S4 m+ R- s. C2 |
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From:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/chi ... ontent_17174832.htm