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. ) C5 u9 e/ v) B/ x( A6 w+ R, ~ , x6 H- d }* uThe 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. 4 b! T: c8 O5 Y$ A" k. Z5 e3 x: {- j 9 k# \) J( l0 @3 j! ], MThis marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body. 6 X3 o1 W6 W T$ x( _ 3 N6 C' g* e4 [) f% h) z9 y$ t2 RChang'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. ' g& p3 e# o! t' L7 T; p9 p9 S' y9 u2 U
Following the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position. : o/ Z1 C4 w6 ^5 f7 T' r/ m+ N( O+ V* f6 p; Q+ t0 I
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. * L0 E! R& s; M: l9 _, e3 A7 w; s7 I* q, S5 Y0 Z2 R# y4 C
From:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/chi ... ontent_17174832.htm