Chang'e 6 is Moon-bound after a perfect launch! [Long March 5 Y8]
Chang'e 6 is Moon-bound after a perfect launch! [Long March 5 Y8]
China's second lunar sample return mission was kicked off on May 3rd.
China kicked off its Chang'e 6 lunar far-side sample return mission at 17:27 pm China Standard Time, or 09:27 am Universal Coordinated Time, from LC-101 at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, in the southern province of Hainan. This mission is part of the country's fourth phase of its lunar exploration program.
Despite rain moving into the launch site, the Long March 5 vehicle carrying the Chang'e 6 lifted off at the start of its launch window. Ascent into low Earth orbit atop of the launch vehicle occurred as planned with the weather providing no effect on the launch, the Long March 5 is designed to launch in inclement weather conditions.
After a short coast phase in Earth orbit, the Long March 5's second-stage engines relit and performed the trans-lunar trajectory burn as planned. The Chang'e 6 spacecraft separated from the second-stage not long after the end of the burn. Chang'e 6 also unfolded solar panels on the orbiter and lander ahead of appearing from Earth's shadow.
The remainder of this article is available on Cosmic Nxws.