China’s Chang’e-5 probe completes first orbital correction
China’s lunar probe Chang’e-5 successfully carried out its first orbital correction on Tuesday night, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The probe conducted the orbital correction at 22:06 (Beijing Time) when its 3000N engine was operational for about two seconds, and then continued its trip to the moon.
The 3,000N engine will play a critical role in the perilune brake before landing on the moon.
“We need to make sure the 3000N engine works well for its braking at perilune. So, we need to test the engine’s state and parameters beforehand,” said Meng Zhanfeng, the director designer of the Chang’e-5.
Prior to the orbital correction, the lunar probe had traveled for roughly 17 hours in space, and was about 160,000 km away from Earth. All of the probe’s systems were in good condition, said the CNSA.
Orbital correction is necessary to ensure that the probe follows its theoretical trajectory as closely as possible, said the CNSA.
There will be two or three additional corrections later in its journey.
“The first time we tested the 3000N engine. Second time we eliminate the deviation produced during the first correction. Then the third time will target at the perilune and take measures according to practical orbit determination,” said Meng.
Chang’e-5 will have two brakes before entering the lunar orbit. This was designed to solve the problem of having a relatively small engine thrust compared to its weight during the braking at perilune.
“It’s because it’s too heavy. We plan to form a big elliptical orbit by the first brake, with period of about eight hours. We fly in the orbit three times. One day later we start our second brake to finally enter the 200-kilometer round lunar orbit,” said Meng.
China launched the lunar probe at 04:30 on Tuesday to collect and return samples from the moon. It is the country’s first attempt to retrieve samples from an celestial body.
(Source: Reuters)
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