Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-22-2020 09:39 PM
Please use this topic to discuss China's Chang'e 5 mission to collect and return samples from the moon.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-22-2020 09:43 PM
The Planetary Society has published a guide to Chang'e 5, gathering together the available information about the mission.
China's Chang'e-5 mission will return what should be the youngest-ever Moon samples to Earth. The spacecraft will land in Oceanus Procellarum — the Ocean of Storms — a dark-grey region in the Moon's northwest corner visible with the unaided eye from Earth. The specific landing site, near a 70-kilometer-wide mound named Mons Rümker, may have rocks and soil that are just 1.2 billion years old, formed by a large volcanic event that covered up the underlying surface.
China has only said thus far that the mission will launch in late November, though it is expected to lift off on a Long March 5 rocket at about 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) on Monday (Nov. 23). Chang'e 5 is expected to collect about 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of lunar material and return to Earth within 22 to 23 (Earth) days.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-23-2020 03:05 PM
China's Chang'e 5 mission lifted off on Monday (Nov. 23) at 3:30 p.m. EST (2030 GMT or 4:30 a.m. local Nov. 24) from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-23-2020 05:59 PM
A comparison, via a Chinese document, between the Chang'e 5 spacecraft and the Apollo spacecraft. The labels point to corresponding components:
orbiter vs. service module
return capsule (and fairing) vs. command module
descent stage vs. lunar module descent stage
ascent stage vs. lunar module ascent stage
Headshot Member
Posts: 976 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 11-23-2020 07:19 PM
If Chang'e 5 successfully lands at Mons Rumker it will rest about 41 degrees north of the lunar equator. This will easily be the farthest north landing site for any robotic or manned lunar mission.
Chang'e 4 holds the record for the furthest successful landing site south of the lunar equator at about 45 degrees. Chang'e 4 landed in the Von Karman crater on the lunar far side.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3268 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 11-25-2020 11:38 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: A comparison, via a Chinese document, between the Chang'e 5 spacecraft and the Apollo spacecraft...
Imitation is the best form of flattery!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-25-2020 12:48 PM
To be fair, the imitation is superficial, at best. There are only so many ways you can design a sample return mission and China went with lunar orbit rendezvous rather than direct return.
Beyond the basic division of the spacecraft into four parts, the details diverge greatly. The reentry capsule, for example, is a miniature Shenzhou (the appearance that it resembles the Apollo command module is only the outer conical fairing that will be jettisoned).
perineau Member
Posts: 297 From: FRANCE Registered: Jul 2007
posted 11-25-2020 12:51 PM
I think that if China succeeds, it won't be long before they start sending people and perhaps the first woman to walk on the moon will be Chinese.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-25-2020 12:56 PM
China's plan is to start sending humans to the moon after it completes its space station program, which is targeted for 2030.
Whether this mission succeeds or fails, it will be followed up by its backup vehicle, Chang'e 6. If Chang'e 5 succeeds, the plan is for a more ambitious sample return mission from the lunar south pole.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-29-2020 04:56 PM
A mission update from CGTN:
China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe successfully completed its second braking at 8:23 p.m. Sunday (BJT), entering a circular lunar orbit 200 kilometers above the moon and getting ready for the landing operation, according to the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of China National Space Administration (CNSA).
This follows its first braking one day earlier, which took place at a position about 400 kilometers above the moon and enabled it to be captured by the moon's gravitational field and fly in an elliptical lunar orbit.
The second braking brings it closer to the moon. Over the next week, the probe, composed of four parts – the orbiter, lander, ascender and Earth re-entry module – will perform multiple complicated tasks on a tight schedule.
The four parts will separate into two pairs. The lander and ascender will head to the moon and collect samples, while the orbiter and Earth re-entry module will continue to fly around the moon and adjust to a designated orbit, getting ready for the docking with the ascender.
The landing operation is expected in three days.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
The Chang'e-5 successfully landed on the near side of moon, China's National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Tuesday.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-01-2020 11:16 AM
Xinhua state news agency video
Jurg Bolli Member
Posts: 1067 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Nov 2000
posted 12-01-2020 02:24 PM
This is a great achievement, I hope the return of material goes well.
perineau Member
Posts: 297 From: FRANCE Registered: Jul 2007
posted 12-02-2020 01:23 AM
Is it just me or does the Chang'e 5 lunar landing vehicle look a lot like the Apollo lunar module?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-02-2020 09:12 AM
Beyond it having descent and ascent stages, the Chang'e 5 differs in a number of ways from the Apollo lunar module. It has solar panels, its legs do not collapse, it is equipped with a robotic arm and the communications antennas are on the deck of the descent stage.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-02-2020 09:13 AM
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has released a high resolution panorama taken by the Chang'e 5 lander:
davidcwagner Member
Posts: 867 From: Albuquerque, New Mexico Registered: Jan 2003
posted 12-02-2020 05:53 PM
Is that Mons Rümker in the upper 1 o'clock position?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-02-2020 07:09 PM
According to planetary cartographer Phil Stooke on the Unmanned Spaceflight forums), the feature on the horizon is an unnamed hill.
Mons Rümker is (relatively) nearby but is out of view, even during descent. Here is Phil's quick map of the landing site:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-03-2020 08:58 AM
Photo provided by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) showing Chang'e-5 gathering samples on the moon on Dec. 2, 2020. The probe has now completed collecting lunar material and the samples have been sealed within the spacecraft, CNSA announced Thursday morning (Dec. 3).
Preparations for the ascent vehicle to depart the moon are underway, with a liftoff expected at about 10:10 a.m. EST (1510 GMT).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-03-2020 09:50 AM
Liftoff of the Chang'e 5 ascent vehicle at 10:10 a.m. EST (1510 GMT):
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-04-2020 02:48 PM
China deployed its flag on the moon (attached to the Chang'e 5 lander). Previous landers displayed the flag as a decal (via Twitter).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-04-2020 05:53 PM
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter photographed Chang'e 5 on the moon.
China's Chang'e 5 sample return spacecraft made a safe touchdown on the lunar surface at 10:11 EST (15:11 UTC) 01 December 2020. LRO passed over the site the following day and acquired an off-nadir (13° slew) image showing the lander centered within a triangle of craters.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-16-2020 12:26 PM
Chinese state television is reporting that the Chang'e 5 reentry capsule has landed in Inner Mongolia.
The capsule has been located and recovery teams are approaching.
David C Member
Posts: 1235 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 12-16-2020 02:59 PM
I think congratulations are in order.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 990 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 12-16-2020 09:16 PM
Congratulations to China! It's a tough act to pull off.
perineau Member
Posts: 297 From: FRANCE Registered: Jul 2007
posted 12-17-2020 12:42 AM
Yes, congrats are in order.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-19-2020 02:26 PM
CGTN video
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation unveiled the Chang'e-5 return capsule, which was carrying lunar samples. Scientists are eagerly waiting to start studying the moon specimens.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-18-2021 01:11 PM
China on Monday (Jan. 18) unveiled regulations on lunar sample management, encouraging international cooperation on studying the samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 probe.
Released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the regulations cover general principles for preserving, managing, using, borrowing and returning the lunar samples, as well as information release and research results management of the samples.
According to the regulations, the lunar samples will be generally used for four purposes, namely permanent storage, backup permanent storage, research and public welfare.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45657 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-22-2021 11:43 AM
First look at some of the 1,731 grams of lunar samples collected by Chang'e-5 (via Andrew Jones on Twitter):
posted 11-22-2020 09:39 PM
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