China likely to launch second lunar probe on Friday
September 30th, 2010 - 5:30 pm ICT by ANINew Delhi, Sep 30 (ANI): The Chinese space authority has said that it will launch its second lunar probe, Chang’e-2, between Friday and Sunday, with former being the first choice.
Fuel loading was scheduled to begin on Thursday to inject propellants into the carrier rocket, a Long March 3-C.
The fuel loading will be under way until the last three minutes before the launch, said a spokesman for the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China’s Sichuan province.
The Chang’e-2 probe, named for the character in the legend of a Chinese fairy who flew to the moon, is expected to test parts of key technologies for Chang’e-3, which is expected to land on the moon in about 2013, the China Daily reports.
It will also refine scientific research findings conducted by Chang’e-1, the spokesman said.
China’s lunar exploration program, which has been designed to eventually land a Chinese craft on the moon, calls for the launch of three satellites at the second stage: Chang’e-2, Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-4. (ANI)
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Tags: china daily, chinese space, exploration program, fairy, first choice, fuel loading, key technologies, last three minutes, lunar exploration, lunar probe, moon, New Delhi, research findings, satellite launch center, satellites, second stage, sichuan province, southwestern china, spokesman, xichang satellite launch center