Moon Probe Mission
China's 2nd lunar probe Chang'e-2 blasts off
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-01 19:10
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 Long March 3C rocket carrying China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-2, lifts off from the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, at 18:59:57 (Beijing time)on Oct. 1, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua] |
XICHANG, Sichuan -- China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-2, blasts off on Friday, inaugurating the second phase of the country's three-step lunar exploration program. At 6:59:57 p.m. Friday, the Chang'e-2 blasted off on a Long March 3C carrier rocket from the No. 2 launching tower at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The lunar probe will test key technologies and collect data for future landings of Chang'e-3 and Chang'e-4, and provide high-resolution photographs of the landing area.
Chang'e-2 was built as an alternative to Chang'e-1, which was launched in October 2007 and maintained a 16-month lunar orbit. The series of Chang'e probes is named after a legendary Chinese moon goddess.
The lunar probe will test key technologies and collect data for future landings of Chang'e-3 and Chang'e-4, and provide high-resolution photographs of the landing area.
Chang'e-2 was built as an alternative to Chang'e-1, which was launched in October 2007 and maintained a 16-month lunar orbit. The series of Chang'e probes is named after a legendary Chinese moon goddess.