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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.

+ ^4 `0 E/ N. g5 m3 U3 v- k! EThe 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.
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; N5 R6 @3 v& |This marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.
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0 z+ n* g$ f/ y4 c2 T: dChang'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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9 `* ?$ n' e( l- DFollowing the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position.

/ ~0 g( H* X& Y5 s0 u0 AChina 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.

From:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/chi ... ontent_17174832.htm