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Further Reading

Chang'e - II

Second Generation Lunar Probe

9-02-10

The follow on Chang'e-2 based on the back-up Chang’e-1 updated spacecraft is expected to be launched as early October or end of 2010 but not later than early 2011 according to the Chinese State Administration of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense. It is expected to continue the Chang'e-1 mission in addition to testing the un-crewed lunar soft landing technologies in preparation for the Chang'e-3 landing. Additionally it will carry a higher resolution imaging CCD camera system better than the imaging system used on Chang'e-1 for imaging the landing area. The delays in receiving foreign supplied equipment for the Chang'e-2 spacecraft have caused several rescheduling issues in addition to emphasizing the need for Chine to become self reliant on the " core technologies and basic advanced components" production. The highest impact appears to be in high technology electronic components for systems operations. Chang'e-2 is planned to orbit approximately 100 km close to the lunar surface than that demonstrated by Chang'e-1. Chang'e-2 is based on the Chang'e-1 spacecraft back up with considerable upgrades but is considered as a part of the second phase of china's uncrewed lunar exploration program. It will be launch by the end of 2010 on a Long March- 3C booster according to the Party chief of the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, Liang Xiaohong.

A lunar probe project was officially started in January 2004, and as of the end of 2004 a lunar orbiting exploration was scheduled to be carried out by the end of 2007. This project also foresees landing a remote control vehicle on the Moon by the end of 2010, and taking lunar mineral samples by 2020.

The Chang'e Program is named after the Chinese legend about a young fairy that flies to the moon. The White Paper on China ’s Space Activities, issued by Chinese government on November 11, 2000 , initially set the goal for moon exploration and clearly planned to carry out preliminary deep space research.

"Orbiting, Landing & Returning"

1. Chang'e-1: The first phase of the project will see China send a 2,350 kilogram lunar orbiter spacecraft to circle the moon and map its surface to get three-dimensional images of it. This part of mission will also deal with analyzing the content and distribution of useful elements on the moon surface, measure the density of lunar soil and exploring the lunar space environment. The scientists have done advances in the design of the orbit of the sounding Chang'e - I that will examine its surface and geography, making the first stage of the project.

2. Chang'e-2 & Chang'e-3: They are a part of the second stage phase of the un-crewed Chinese lunar exploration project. Chang’e-2 is the lunar orbiting satellite that also carries both a high-resolution camera and a small lunar impactor probe while Chang’e-3 is the lunar soft Lander spacecraft with its small lunar rover which presumably may have a back-up mimicking the Soviets practices. China will launch its Chang’e-3 in between 2012 - 2013 with its small lunar rover , achieve the soft landing, patrol and explore on the moon, building the basis for the further moon research. The space robot used for lunar surface exploration will be small and dexterous, can easily move, climb slopes, evade obstacles and be easily accustomed to the inclement environment on the moon. The space robot on the moon will investigate possible landing sites of astronauts and other areas of interest by scientists.

3. Chang'e-4, Chang'e-5, & Chang'e-6: On the third stage, China will launch between 2017 and 2020 with the common Lander stage the small capsule and moon robot to collect the needed samples and return safely, research the samples and provide the data for the manned moon-landing and the location of China's moon base. It will lay scientific facilities, collect research samples and send lunar images back to Earth. Chang’e-4 and its ASR [Automatic Samples Return] mission may in part be based on or be a part of a back-up to Change-3 updated Lander stage with interchangeable payloads for its mission requirements after a successful Chang’e-3 mission. Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 may in fact become the ASR missions while Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-4 may become lunar rover missions backing up one another again mimicking Soviet practices.

According to the legendary story, there were 10 suns blazing in the sky in the remote ancient times. It was said that the sunlight set on the earth like burning fire and the mountain and fields were simply burned open. People living on the earth could find nowhere to run away. Then, there came the brave and highly skilled archer Hou Yi, who shot down nine of the suns and only the present one was left. Hou Yi got the people off the disaster and his great deeds won him the position of the King. However, Hou Yi eventually turned into a tyrant indulging in debauchery and random killing. His subjects hated him to the bone. Anticipating not a long lasting good time, Hou Yi went to the Queen of Wang Mu on the Kun Lun Mountain asking for the never-die elixir. In fear of his ever lasting life remained the suffering of the people, His wife Chang E took the elixir and swallowed it up herself. After that, her body became as light as the cloud and began flying into the midair. It happened just at the evening of the 15th day of the eighth lunar month with the bright and lovely moon hung above in the sky. Thinking of the evildoing of her husband, she decided to leave for good the heartbroken place and went to the moon. Chang'e decides to live on the moon because it is nearest to the earth. There she lives a simple and contented life. Even though she is in Heaven, her heart remains in the world of mortals. Chang E now rules over the lunar kingdom " Palace of Great Cold ", while Hou Yi rules over the solar realm. They are only allowed to meet once a year on the 15th of the 8th lunar month. In memory of Chang E, people later set the date of the 15th day of the eighth lunar month as the date of Mid-Autumn Festival.

Chang'e-1 finished it 16 month mission when it was deliberately crashed onto the Moon on March 1, 2009 .

All of these programs started during the present five year plan 1-2006 through 1-2011 but are projected out two five year plans ahead with program completion maturity in the middle years of the five year plans.