Sending the space race into full throttle, China announced it will launch its first lunar probe this week, an official told gathered press officials today. The launch will take place sometime between Wednesday and Friday of this week, depending on a variety of factors.
A few weeks ago Japan sent its own lunar orbitor into space making the Far East a major player in this race to be the first to return to the moon after the United States left its Moon landings over three decades ago.
NASA had already officially declared several weeks ago that it is very likely that China will reach the surface of the moon with a manned landing before the U.S. does this time around.
Adding another factor into the Asian equation is India’s announcement that it too will launch a lunar craft to orbit and study our nearest celestrial neighbor in April 2008.
China’s orbitor has been christened Chang’e 1, after the Chinese goddess who flew to the moon, according to Chinese legend.
Chang’e 1 will make several orbits around Earth before entering its sustained lunar orbit around November 5th.
An official spokesperson for China’s Space Agency stated the the ultimate goal of this mission is “to analyze the chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface.” Another important aspect of the craft’s mission is to “use stereo cameras and X-ray spectrometers to map three-dimensional images of the surface and study the moon’s dust,” he said.
Chang’e 1 is expected to transmit lunar photos for one full year allowing for scientific exploration and determination for the best manned-landing sites expected to occur within the next 10 to 15 years.
Leave a Reply