Changcheng 3B / Long March 3B Rocket En Route From Beijing To Xichang Space Center – Chang’e-3 Launch Site, Expected To Arrive 1 Nov; Carrier Rocket Equipped With A Number Of New Technologies To Further Its Reliability; Tests On Chang’e-3 Moon Probe Proceeding Smoothly As China Prepares To Conduct The 1st Soft Landing On Moon In 37 Years; Country Considering Human Moon Mission Between 2020-2025
Image Size: EPA / NG Hong, cntv.cn
Imaging Of Historic Hardware / Landers On Moon Remains Important Area Of Study For LRO; Photometric Modeling Of Exhaust Plume Effects On Regolith Environment Using LROC-NAC Images Taken With Different Illumination Geometries Help Define Safe Operational Practices For Future Landing Sites; LROC Investigators Hope To Advance This Study With Before & After Images Of Chang’e-3 Landing Site
Image Credit: NASA, CNSA
China, India, Russia, USA All Planning Moon Missions In This Decade; UK, ESA, South Korea To Follow Post-2020; As Many As 3 GLXP Teams Could Also Land On Moon By 2015 Heralding Age Of Commercial Mining / Exploration; With Well-Funded Lunar Program, First Moon Lander In 37 Years (Chang’e-3 In Dec 2013) & Serious Study Of Human Moon Missions – China Is Leading Way & Compelling International Rivals / Partners To Keep Pace
Image Credit: Dreamstime, GLXP, History Channel
China Officials Will Collect Name Nominations For Chang’e-3 Lunar Rover; Domestic & Oversees Residents Can Submit Names Via The Internet, Official Name To Be Announced In Nov; Global Name-Collecting Campaign Initiated To Enhance Awareness / National Enthusiasm Of Mission; Lander / Rover Now At Xichang Satellite Launch Center In Preparation For Dec 2013 Launch
Image Credit: CCTV, CNSA
International Lunar Observatory Association Presenting At IAC 2013 In Beijing, China, Today: Chang’e-3 – ILOA Galaxy Imaging Program, ILO-X Precursor Mission, ILO-1 Polar Mission, Human Service Mission; 24 Sep ILOA Board Of Directors Meeting To Build Upon Successful Pioneering Galaxy Forum Program, International Partnerships With China / International Space Agencies & Commercial NewSpace Enterprises To Realize Multifunctional ILO, Humans On The Moon Within Decade
Image Credit: ILOA, IAF
Chinese Academy Of Sciences (CAS) Holds Rally To Send Off Payload Testing Team For Chang’e-3 Lunar Explorer; Director Of Space Science & Applied Research At CAS Ji Wu, Senior CLEP Leadership Team Advisor Ziyuan Ouyang (T), CLEP Applications Chief Scientist Jun Yan (B) & Other Top Officials Present At Rally; About 80 Days Remaining Until Launch Of 1st China Lunar Lander / Surveyor
Image Credit: CLEP, CNSA, ILOA