The country took a big step forward in space exploration yesterday after launching its first lunar orbiter.
At 6:05 pm, Chang'e I blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center atop a Long March 3-A carrier rocket.
The circumlunar satellite separated from the rocket at 6:29 pm and entered into Earth orbit, where it will travel for seven days, according to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).
About an hour after the launch, Li Shangfu, director of the Xichang launch center, declared the endeavor a success after Chang'e I entered the Earth orbit and unfolded its solar panel for energy.
The control of the orbiter was then transferred to BACC.
"It marks another milestone in China's space program," said Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan at the Xichang center.
Developed with indigenous technology, the 1.4 billion yuan ($186 million) mission is considered the third milestone in the country's space venture, following the launch of the first satellite in 1970 and two manned missions in the past five years.
"This was a truly perfect launch. If I were to rate it, I would give it a hundred out of a hundred," said Zhou Jianliang, a deputy chief engineer at the Beijing center.
Chang'e I, named after a legendary Chinese fairy who flew to the moon, is expected to enter the Earth-moon transfer orbit on October 31 and reach the moon's orbit on November 5.
It will circle around the moon for a year to analyze chemical and mineral composition and to explore the characteristics of the lunar surface.
It will use stereo cameras and X-ray spectrometers to map three-dimensional images of the surface and study the moon's dust.
The satellite is expected to transmit its first photos back to Earth in the second half of next month.
It is the first step of China's three-stage moon mission, which will lead to a moon landing of a rover around 2012. In the third phase, another rover will land on the moon and return to Earth with soil and stone samples for scientific research around 2017.
Questions:
1.At what time did the lunar orbiter take off?
2. How many days will the satellite travel for?
3. How much did the mission cost?
4. Who is Chang'e in traditional Chinese mythology?
Answers:
1.At 6.05 pm.
2.It will circle around the moon for a year.
3.1.4 billion yuan.
4.A legendary Chinese fairy who flew to the moon.
（英語點津 Celene 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Brendan is an Australian who has been involved in education and writing for over a decade. He has been published most recently for the Tiger Airways Inflight magazine, The Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times and Japan's Hiroshima Outside Magazine. He holds a Masters Degree in Community Development and Management and has resided in China for over 3 years.
