Chang'e -1
First Generation Lunar Probe
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 2010, and taking lunar mineral samples by 2020.
The Chang'e Program is named after the Chinese legend about a young fairy who 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.
The July 24, 2001 edition of the Chinese aerospace magazine Hangkong Zhishi provided new details of China's lunar programs, including a four-step long term plan. The first step is a flyby or orbiting mission before 2005, possibly using the DFH-3 bus. The second step is a soft-landing mission before 2010. The third and the fourth step, from 2010 to 2020 and from 2020 to 2030, are robotic explorations focusing on rover and sample return missions. After 2030, it said China plans to establish a lunar base and make manned flights.
From February 28 to March 1, 2003, China National Space Administration (CNSA), held the 2003 Civil Space Conference and the Preparatory Conference of the Exploration of the Moon. The year of 2003 is the first year to implement the essence of the 16th National Congress of the CPC and the important year to carry out the eleventh Five-Year Plan. On the basis of enhancing supervision and check of implemented projects and under the support from all directions, we should continue to make our efforts to realize the development aims of the latter part of the tenth Five-Year Plan and those of the eleventh Five-Year Plan: realize the aim in first phase of the Chang'e Exploration of the Moon.
As of October 2003 China's first lunar exploration program, the Project Chang'e, was going smoothly since the kick-off on March 1, 2003. Chinese space officials announced that progress on some key techologies have been made, and preliminary design of the spacecraft has started. The planned Chang'e probe will be based on the DFH-3 bus and was to be launched by a CZ-3A from Xichang around 2005.
Chang'e was launched from Xichand on October 24, 2007 and entered lunar orbit on November 5, 2007 for a one year planned mission .
The Long-March 2-F rocket, used to launch the Shenzhou spacecraft, is capable of fulfilling the mission for a lunar probe provided that it is installed with an additional stage.
The lunar probe program consists of three stages, including orbiting, landing and returning from the moon with lunar soil and rock samples. This would culminate in 20 years with the shipment of a robot to the surface of the Moon. China is measuring its lunar program in decades instead of years. Between the data to emphasize the confirmation of year 2005 as the one of the launching of the first sounding that will orbit the Moon. China will finish the first phase of Chang'e program by 2010, and then move to make a smooth landing in the 2010 and one mission of return of samples for the 2020.
Three Phased Un-crewed Lunar Precursors
"Orbiting, Landing & Returning"
- 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'er I that will examine its surface and geography, making the first stage of the project.
- On the second stage, China will launch its moon car, 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.
- On the third stage, China will launch 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.
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 but are projected out two five year plans ahead with program completion maturity in the middle years of the five year plans.
