Category Archives: Chang’e Program

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 1-4 May 2015

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International Space Powers Advancing Plans For Lunar Exploration

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Russia Invites China To Collaborate On Scientific Space Station In Lunar Orbit, Both Countries Have Stated Plans To Continue Robotic Exploration Of Moon Over Next Decade, Conduct Human Surface Missions By 2030; New ESA Leader Johann-Dietrich Wörner (L) Sees International Permanent Moon Station – Likely At Far Side – As Next Step After ISS; Japan Plan For ~2018 Lunar Lander Garnering Significant Attention From International Space Community

Pictured (R): Roscosmos Leader Igor Komarov, China Vice Premier Wang Yang

Image Credit: Russianspaceweb.com, RIA Novosti

Thursday / 30 April 2015

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Chang’e-3 Telescope Demonstrating Value / Feasibility Of Lunar-Based Astronomy

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Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT) Successfully Operates For Entire 4.28 Hours Of Recent (4 Apr) Lunar Eclipse, Capturing 246 Images During Its 1st Operation Without Sunlight; Imaging Was Part Of Extended Experiments To Test Power Supply & Thermal Control Support For Payload Equipment During Lunar Eclipse; NAO Astronomers Publish Data Gathered From LUT That Indicate Concentration Of OH / H2O Molecules In Lunar Exosphere ~100 Times Less Than Previous Value Reported By Hubble & Chandrayaan-1

Image Credit: NAOC, CNSA, NASA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 17-20 April 2015

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ESA, China Consider Human Missions
To Moon Far Side

FarSideESAchina

Incoming ESA Director General Johann-Dietrich Wörner Wants To See Establishment Of Base On Far Side Of Moon To Enable Radio Astronomy; Current DLR Chairman Wörner Will Assume ESA Leadership On 1 Jul; China Lunar Exploration Program Chief Design Consultant Ye Peijian Says He Is Confident Country Will Accomplish Human Lunar Landings, Envisions Human Expedition To Far Side Of Moon 

Image Credit: ESA, china.org.cn, NASA

Thursday / 16 April 2015

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China Lunar Sample Return Mission Progressing On Schedule

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Command Structure Formed To Oversee Long March 5 Development & 3rd Phase Of China Lunar Exploration Program; CLEP General Director Xu Dazhe Gives Speech At Group’s 1st Meeting Calling For Phase 3 Objectives To Be Reached On Schedule; Ascender Of China Chang’e-5 Lunar Explorer Inspected & Accepted For Plume Testing; New Generation Rocket Long March 5 Successfully Undergoes 20-Minute Test Run, Launch Site Drill Planned For End 2015, 1st Launch In 2016, Will Be Used To Launch Chang’e-5 ~2017

Image Credit: CLEP, CNSA, AMA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 3-6 April 2015

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China Advancing Human Moon Mission Elements

ChinaHumanMoonElements

Research Paper On New Generation Multi-Purpose Space Crew Capsule Published By Aerospace Manned Flight Center Of China Aerospace Technology & Research Institute, Media Reports Reveal It As 1st China Human Moon Capsule Concept Design; Chang’e-5 Lander, Mission Design Indicate Mission Will Test Elements / Procedures For Human Mission – Large Lander & Reentry Vehicle, Apollo-Like Mission Scenario; China Working On Long March-9 Rocket With 130-Metric Ton Payload Capacity, Reportedly To Facilitate Human Moon Missions

Image Credit: CNSA, China Aerospace Technology & Research Institute

Wednesday / 18 March 2015

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China Initiating Commercial Space Industry Through Chang’e-4 Opportunities

 ChinaCommercial

Private Enterprises Encouraged To Participate In China Chang’e-4 Lunar Probe / Lander Mission; China Officials Hope This Initial Step To Stimulate Commercial Space Industry Will Accelerate Technological Innovation, Improve Efficiency, Reduce Government Monopoly / Investment In Space Field, & Garner More Popular Support / Involvement; Private Companies Encouraged To Begin With Optical Instruments Before Moving To More Complex Remote-Control & Power Supply Equipment

Image Credit:CCTV, CLEP

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 6-9 March 2015

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China Chang’e-3, -4, -5 Aligning To Realize Full Potential Of Moon Program

Chang'e-3 - 5

Chang’e-4 Lander & Rover With Reconfigured Instruments To Follow Successful Chang’e-1, -2, -3 & 5-T1 Missions (2007-Present), Perhaps To Unexplored Destination Such As Moon South Pole; Chang’e-5 Sample Return Mission On Track For 2017 Launch From Developing Hainan Spaceport On Long March 5 Rocket According To Chang’e Chief Cmdr / Designer Ye Peijian; Chang’e-5-T1 In Moon Orbit Testing Technologies For Chang’e-5; Chang’e-3 At 44.12°N 19.51°W May Study Lunar Terminator / Dust Dynamics, Make Other Observations During Lunar Eclipse 4 Apr & 28 Sep

Image Credit: CNSA, NASA, CCTV, Chinese Academy of Sciences, D. Davis, Chinanews.com, K. Kremer, M. Di Lorenzo, Xinhuanet.com

Friday / 6 March 2015

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Chang’e-3 Lander & Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope Still Functioning / Providing Data

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LUT Payload On China Chang’e-3 Moon Lander Sending Back Unique Stellar Images, Fully Funded For Rest Of 2015, Likely More Years Of Operation To Come; CNSA / NAOC Officials Considering Observations During Upcoming Lunar Eclipses On 4 Apr, 28 Sep, May Be Opportune Time To Acquire Milky Way Galaxy Imagery Sought By ILOA; Chang’e-3 Now In Lunar Day 16

Image Credit: CNSA, NASA

Wednesday / 4 March 2015

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China New Spaceport Critical To Safeguard China Lunar Rights

HainanPlaque

Wenchang Launch Center In Hainan China Will Be Used For Robotic & Human Missions To Moon; China Officials Expect Human Moon Mission Around 2025; Country Leaders See The Launch Center & Moon Program As Critical For “Safeguarding China’s Lunar Rights” According To Plaque In Hainan; Center Is Designed To Handle 10-12 Rocket Launches Per Year, 19-Degree Latitude Allows For Heavier Launches Such As Heavy-Lift Booster Long March-5 Later This Year

Image Credit: CNSA, ILOA

Wednesday / 25 February 2015

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Lunar Science Talk Demonstrates
Value Of Moon Exploration

UAscience

Principal Investigator Of GRAIL Mission, Maria Zuber, Will Give Presentation On Recent Discoveries Concerning The Interior Of The Moon, Thurs 26 Feb At University Of Arizona; Host Of International Lunar Orbiters / Landers Continuing To Advance Understanding Of The History & Potential Future Significance Of Earth’s Closest Neighbor; Currently NASA Has 3 Spacecraft Orbiting Moon (LRO, ARTEMIS), China Currently Has An Orbiter (Chang’e-5 T1), Lander & Rover (Chang’e-3 / Yutu) At Moon

Image Credit: NASA, CNSA