HELSINKI – A spacecraft involved in China’s 2020 lunar monster return mission has entered orbit around Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1 as part of an expanded mission.
The Chang’e-5 orbiter successfully entered a targeted orbit around the Lagrange point at 1:29 a.m. Eastern March 15, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), the spacecraft manufacturer, stated March 19.
The spacecraft will conduct a series of tests and solar observations under the supervision of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC). Possible future destinations for expanded activities are being considered.
The expanded Chang’e-5 mission is China’s first excursion to Sun-Earth L1 and the first Chinese spacecraft to move within Earth’s orbit.
The orbiter in December facilitated the delivery to Earth from a reentry capsule containing collected lunar material. It then used the propellant saved by high-precision launch and trans-lunar injection to embark on an additional journey.
Located about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, Sun-Earth L1 is one of a number of points near two large co-orbiting bodies on which gravitational and centrifugal forces balance, causing spacecraft to orbit. can remain round with minimal site retention.
NASA’s DSCOVR distant space climate mission is one of a number of spacecraft that have used Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1. The location of the Lagrange point makes it suitable for long, unobstructed observations of the Earth and the sun.
Chang’e-5 return, continued
The Chang’e-5 orbiter was instrumental in Oceanus Procellarum’s successful collection of lunar material late last year.
The mission launched in late November and saw a lander spacecraft landed near Mons Rümker December 1. Collected samples were delivered to the Chang’e-5 orbiter by one taking off vehicle after a robotic lunar orbit appointment and docking procedure.
The orbiter left lunar orbit on December 12 along with a return capsule containing lunar samples. The two spacecraft separated about 3,000 miles from Earth on December 16, with the return capsule performing a ‘skip’ reentry.
The return capsule landed at 12:59 PM East December 16 with 1,731 kilograms of lunar material. The orbiter performed a maneuver to set course for Sun-Earth L1.
Possible future scenarios for the Chang’e-5 orbiter could include a visit to the Sun-Earth L4 or L5 points. These triangular libration points 60 degrees ahead and behind the Earth in its orbit are more stable than the other three points and can accommodate objects near the Earth. Imagers can be used to survey the region for speculated Earth Trojan asteroid objects.
Potential visits from Venus or 469219 Kamo’oalewa (2016 HO3), set target for 2024 in China Zhenghe asteroid sampling mission for the near Earth, are being considered unlikely based on estimates of residual propellant and required rate changes.
Lunar update on the other hand
China’s ongoing Chang’e-4 lunar mission on the other side is meanwhile expected to complete its 28th Monday, Saturday, March 20.
The January 2019 landing was the first soft landing on the far side of the moon, with communication enabled by a relay satellite orbiting Earth-moon Lagrange point 2 beyond the moon.
The Chang’e-4 lander and the Yutu-2 rover have been active on the moon for more than 800 days. The solar-powered spacecraft goes into hibernation for the intensely cold moon nights.
The Yutu-2 rover has driven so far 652.62 meters across the Von Kármán crater and is about 429 meters from the lander.
The mission has provided data on the local underground structure, possible detection of material from the lunar mantle, various rock types and secondary crater fragments encountered by the rover, first radiation dose measurements from the lunar surface and local impact histories.
China then plans a number of them Chang’e Missions to the south pole of the moon. These, in combination with planned Russian missions, are considered the starting point for a basic stage “International Moon Research StationTo be expanded for the time being to more permanent robotic installations and possible manned visits and long-term residence.
