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The grand finale in space navigation opened in wee hours|CZ-3B launch vehicle successfully launched Chang’e 4 probe

The grand finale in space navigation opened in wee hours|CZ-3B launch vehicle successfully launched Chang’e 4 probe

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2019/01/19 11:00
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[Abstract]:
Dec8,2018ChinaSpaceNewsSpecialEditionCZ-3BlaunchvehiclesuccessfullylaunchedChang’e-4probeHuman’sspacecraftbegantolandonthefarsideofthemoonAdvancetowardsthefarsideofthemoon! XichangSatelliteLaunchCente

Dec 8, 2018      China Space News      Special Edition

CZ-3B launch vehicle successfully launched Chang’e-4 probe

Human’s spacecraft began to land on the far side of the moon

Advance towards the far side of the moon!

China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationCongratulations on CZ-3B launch vehicle’s successful launch of Chang’e-4 probe

▲ A Complete Success (Photo by Chu Hongjie)

 

In the wee hours of December 8, the human spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon for the first time. At 2:23, CZ-3B launch vehicle was ignited at Xichang Satellite Launch Center and successfully launched Chang’e-4 probe to the space. Then the probe and launch vehicle were successfully separated. Chang’e 4 probe successfully entered the earth-moon transfer orbit with about 200km from the perigee and about 420,000km from the apogee.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

▲ CZ-3B launch vehicle sent Chang’e-4 probe to the space (photo by Wei Jinghua)

 

Compared with the launch of Chang’e 3 probe, the design orbit injection accuracy of the vehicle was improved by over 30%. According to schedule, Chang’e 4 probe will land softly in South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moonafter 26 daysof flight, becoming the first probe to successfully land softly on the far side of the moon.

 

“Chang’e-4 probe is composed of the landerand rover. After it lands on the moon, it will release the rover to detect the geomorphy, mineral constituents and shallow structurein the patrol area on the far side of the moon. It will realize the first moon-based low frequency radio astronomical observationin the whole world.” said Sun Zezhou, Chief Designer of the probe system of Chang’e 4 probe mission.


 

▲ Rover of Chang’e-4 probe (left), lander (right), Magpie Bridge relay satellite (up)

It’s learned that Chang’e 4 probe also carries the load provided through international cooperationto carry out relevant studies of lunar surface environment detection.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

▲Nose cone with densely printed logos, showing the open and broad mind of Chinese aerospace (photo by Shi Xiao)

 

“No matter from the engineering significance or scientific significance, Chang’e 4 probe mission is one of the most attractive missions in the international scientific circle in 2018. As one of the important signs of China’s effort to become a big power in aerospace, it will certainly become an important event in the science and technology monument of the Chinese nation.”said Wu Yansheng, Secretary of Party Committee and Board Chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

▲Hoisting of the launch vehicle (photo by Xie Qiyong)

Because the probe on the far side of the moon can’t realize direct telemetering & telecontrol communicationand data transmission with the earth, for a long time, there are no probes successfully landing on the far side of the moon. On May 21 in this year, Magpie Bridge relay satellite which connected the earth with the moon was successfully launched. It then entered the mission orbit on June 14, which served as a bridge to provide informationfor Chang’e 4 probe to land on and detect the far side of the moon.

CASC

▲Diagram of Magpie Bridge relay satellite of Chang’e 4 probe flying to the moon

CZ-3B launch vehicle and Chang’e-4 probe in this mission are respectively developed by the first institute and the fifth institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is the 294thlaunch mission of CZ launch vehicles, as well as the 34thlaunch of CZ launch vehicles this year.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

▲ CZ-3B launch vehicle was ready for the launch (photo by Xie Qiyong)

Progress of Chang’e 4 probe mission

May 21, 2018

 

CZ-4 C launch vehicle was ignited and sent Magpie Bridge relay satellite to the space.

 

 

May 25, 2018

Magpie Bridge relay satellite successfully realized braking at perilune and entered the transfer orbit of moon to earth-moon Lagrange L2 point.

June 14, 2018

Magpie Bridge relay satellite successfully realized orbit capture and control, and entered Halo mission orbit around earth-moon Lagrange L2 point which is about 65,000km from the moon, becoming the world first satellite running in Halo orbit of earth-moon Lagrange L2 point.

Orbit type: halo

Orbital period: about 14 days

Orbit vibration amplitude: +Z direction, about 13,000 km

December 8, 2018

CZ-3B launch vehicle successfully launched Chang’e-4 probe in Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

At the beginning of January 2019

Chang’e-4 probe landed softly in South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon.

Flight diagram of Chang’e-4 probe

 

Please watch it in the landscape mode after locking your mobile phone screen.

Flight process of Chang’e-4 probe

Separation of probe and vehicle

 

 

 

Braking at perilune

 

2018-12-8

 

 

The third midcourse correction

 

 

Xichang

 

The second midcourse correction

Running on 100kmX15km orbit

 

Magpie Bridge relay satellite

Spreading of the solar panel

The first midcourse correction

 

 

 

Initial point of powered lowering

 

 

 

 

 

Running on 100km circular orbit

 

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

 

 

 

Powered lowering process

Landing preparation stage

Main deboost phase

Rapid adjustment phase

Approach phase

Hovering phase

Obstacle avoidance phase

Slow drop phase

 

Source: official WeChat of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Some information is provided by the General Department of the Fifth Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.