China Successfully Launches Lunar Probe – Chang’ e 1
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center saw the successful launch of China's first lunar probe – the Chang'e 1.
The spacecraft successfully entered the earth's orbit and unfolded its solar panels to make ready for the trip to the moon.
It was the 15th successful launch in a row for the rocket – Long March 3A.
The next two steps for China will be a moon landing and the launch of a moon rover.
The Chang'e named after the Chinese goddess who flew to the moon will:
1. analyze chemical and mineral composition
2. explore the lunar surface
Earth-moon transfer orbit will happen on October 31st.
The images taken from stereo cameras and X-ray spectrometers will be 3D.
The first images of the moon are expected back around the end of November and then regularly for about one year.
China, Russia and the United States are the only three countries to send men into space.
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