By 
March 8th, 2015
A Chinese Service Module now in Moon orbit is practicing steps needed for the Chang’e 5 mission, slated for 2017 – a multi-module spacecraft that would land, collect, and return to Earth lunar samples.
Credit: China Space Website
China is reporting new progress in shaking out procedures required for rocketing back to Earth samples from the Moon.
China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) noted the progress over the weekend, according to the state-run Xinhuanet news agency.
The service module from a previous experimental lunar craft mission was used to test maneuvers in Moon orbit, including braking into a suitable position for orbital docking.
These practice steps mimic maneuvers to be used in the future Chang’e 5 lunar return sample mission being eyed for 2017.
Reliability of technology
Liu Jizhong, deputy chief commander of the SASTIND’s lunar probe project is reported to say that the service module has proven the reliability of key technology needed for the docking of two spacecraft in the Chang’e 5 mission: hardware rocketed off the Moon that contains the lunar specimens that then couples to a return-to-Earth vehicle.
Various items are removed from the test capsule that made a circumlunar voyage last November.
Credit: CASC
The craft conducting the tests in Moon orbit was lofted from China in October of 2014. That mission also involved a successful test of a reentry capsule last November that parachuted to Earth after making a circumlunar journey.
Following detachment of the reentry capsule by the service module, it moved to the Earth-Moon Lagrange Point (L2) in late November of last year. It then departed the L2 point early this year and was flown into Moon orbit.
Three-step lunar program
The service module now in lunar orbit is reportedly still operating smoothly. It apparently is slated to carry out further tests, including snapping lunar images and might conduct tests that evaluate lunar gravity.
Liu told Xinhua that by using the service module to carry out the set of ongoing tests, space engineers have simulated three key procedures needed for Chang’e 5: Earth re-entry from the Moon at high speed; adjustment of lunar orbit and docking in lunar orbit, steps “laying a solid foundation for China’s three-step lunar program — orbiting, landing and returning,” Liu said.
The Chang’e 5 mission would be lofted moonward by a still-to-be tested Long March 5 booster, a maiden voyage that’s planned for this year from China’s new Wenchang spaceport in south China’s Hainan Province.
For a video on the mission now underway from the English CNTV channel — go to:
http://english.cntv.cn/2015/03/08/VIDE1425796693290658.shtml
Posted in Space News
