Moon Eyes

Zh?ngguó Tànyuè is the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program and the first venture of the People's Republic of China towards the only natural satellite of earth. The program is colloquially known as the Chang'e program and it includes both- robotic and human missions. The program is being driven by the China National Space Administration. While the primary control of the program remains in the hands of China, it is also relying on significant consultancy and contribution from Russian Federal Space Agency, as confirmed by Anatoly Perminov, head of the RFSA.

This is an ongoing program with the first spacecraft launch on October 20, 2007 under the name, Chang'e 1. The launch was earlier planned for any time from October 17 to 19, 2007 but had to be delayed. The lift off was from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. This was an unmanned mission, carrying a lunar orbiter.

Most of the mission is supposed to use Chang'e lunar orbiters though others may be used if needed. Special rovers and soil sample collection equipment has also been developed for the mission. The launch platform for the mission will be modified and specially adapted versions of Long March 3A, Long March 5/E and Long March 7 ballistic missiles will be used. To ensure mission success, the launch and the flight activities are constantly monitored.

A very advanced Tracking, Telemetry and Command system has been set up by the CNSA for this purpose. This is a specialized Deep Space Tracking Network. It consists of high reception radio antennas in Beijing, Kunming, Shanghai and Ürümqi. While the Beijing antenna is 50 mts, the other three antennas are 40 mts each. The four antennas can work together to form an extremely capable, 3000 km VLBI antenna. CNSA has also set up a Ground Application System which is primarily responsible for downlink data reception but can be improvised as a Master Control Facility for the mission, in case of extreme requirements.

The overall structure of Chang'e program is divided in three different phases. In the phase 1, which primarily consisted of orbital missions, Chang'e 1 and 2 were launched. As on October 5, phase 1 stands complete. Chang'e 1 was launched on October 24, 2007 whereas Chang'e 2 was launched on October 1, 2010.

The second stage of Chang'e program will consist of soft landing attempts. The phase will begin in 2012 and will continue till 2017. Most of the launch work will be done from Hainan Spaceport. The third phase will consist of automated sample return. It is scheduled to begin in 2017 and based on this, CNSA claims a manned lunar landing in approximately 2025 to 2030 C.E.