China successfully launches Chang'e 2

阿邱

10-02-2010 China yesterday (Friday) launched the country's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e 2 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The mission marked another step for China's pursuit of moon exploration.

"5,4,3,2,1, Liftoff!"

Named after a legendary goddess who flew to the moon and resided there from her home on the earth, Chang'e 2 took with her China's dream of finding more and knowing more about the earth's closest companion in the universe.

25 minutes after blastoff, Chang'e 2 detached from the Long March 3C rocket, entering trans-lunar orbit which has an apogee of 380,000 km from the earth.

From now on it is on its own facing its many challenges in the space.

This also marks the first time that China has sent a satellite directly into trans-lunar orbit.