govt.chinadaily.com.cn

News

Rocket to lift Chang'e 5 moved to launch pad

Updated: Nov 18, 2020 By Zhao Lei chinadaily.com.cn Print
Share - WeChat
The rocket to lift Chang'e 5, the latest mission in China's lunar exploration program, is moved to its launch pad in the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Nov 17, 2020. [Photo by Yuan Zhen/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 8.2-metric ton Chang'e 5 has four components -- orbiter, lander, ascender and re-entry module. After the probe reaches the lunar orbit, the components will separate into two parts, with the orbiter and re-entry module remaining in the orbit while the lander and ascender descend toward the moon's surface.

The lander and ascender will make a soft landing and then get to work on such tasks as using a drill to collect underground rocks and a mechanical arm to gather surface soil.

After the surface operations are done, the ascender's rocket will elevate it to lunar orbit to dock with the re-entry module. It will transfer lunar samples to the module, which will carry them back to Earth.

Considering these highly sophisticated operations, Chang'e 5 will be more difficult and challenging than previous Chinese lunar expeditions, designers have said.

< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >

Copyright©2024 China Daily. All rights reserved.

京ICP备13028878号-6

京公网安 京公网安备 11010502032503号