A model of the Chang'e 2 spacecraft is displayed at the Bejing Air & Space Museum. Credit: Shujianyang/CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key Takeaways:
- The Chang’e 2 spacecraft achieved lunar orbital insertion on October 6, 2010, five days after its launch as part of China’s Lunar Exploration Program.
- Its scientific payload included an advanced 3D mapping camera, a laser altimeter, X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers, a microwave radiometer, a high-energy particle detector, and solar wind detectors.
- Mission objectives focused on performing chemical analysis of the lunar surface and acquiring mapping and imagery data in preparation for the Chang’e 3 landing.
- The China National Space Administration announced the mission's success in November 2010, unveiling collected photographs.
On Oct. 6, 2010, only five days after launching, the Chang-e 2 spacecraft arrived at the Moon and initiated a rocket burn, slipping into its lunar orbit. Part of China’s Lunar Exploration Program, Chang’e 2 carried an improved camera for 3D mapping, laser altimeter, X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers, microwave radiometer, high-energy particle detector, and solar wind detectors. In addition to performing chemical analysis of the lunar surface, the mission’s goals included obtaining mapping and images in preparation for the Chang’e 3 Moon landing. In November 2010, the China National Space Administration unveiled photos from the Chang’e 2 mission, announcing its success in a ceremony with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
