China's moon probe enters 100 km lunar orbit

China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-II, today successfully completed its third and final, braking, which allowed the satellite to enter a 100 km-high lunar orbit.

China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-II, on Saturday successfully completed its third and final, braking, which allowed the satellite to enter a 100 km-high lunar orbit.

HT Image

Following instructions from the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), Chang'e-II started the third braking at 11:17 am (local time) and entered the 118-minute, round working orbit 15 minutes later, changing the satellite's apolune from 1,825 km to about 100 km.

The satellite will begin scientific exploration activities soon, Xinhua news agency reported.

Chang'e-II lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, in southwest China's Sichuan Province, on October 1, the BACC said.

The moon probe completed its first braking on Wednesday and the second on Friday.