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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.

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.

; E- G# }  |, y; g4 oThis marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.
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; D: y, f! U: I$ cChang'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.
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) d% B  t6 p0 S7 wFollowing the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position.
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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.

  n) |8 S- }" b7 AFrom:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/chi ... ontent_17174832.htm