Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

After releasing a test return capsule, the service module is headed for Moon orbit after loitering at Earth-Moon L2.
Credit: China Space Website

Chinese space controllers are placing into Moon orbit the service module used for the country’s circumlunar test flight last November.

Slated to return to the Moon’s orbit mid-month, the service module has departed a temporary position at the Earth-Moon second Lagrange Point (L2).

According to the State-run Xinhua news agency: “It was the first time for a Chinese spacecraft to reach the L2 point, and the service module completed three circles around the point, expanding probe missions,” said Zhao Wenbo, vice director of China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND).

As of Monday, the service module was over 276,000 miles (445,000 kilometers) away from Earth and roughly 35,418 miles (57,000 kilometers) from the Moon.

According to ground controllers, the service module contains support systems used for spacecraft operations and they reportedly are operating smoothly.

Earlier reports noted that a camera system is onboard the service module, designed to assist in identifying future landing spots for the Chang’e 5 mission that will return lunar samples back to Earth in the 2017 time frame.

The service module now en route to the Moon was separated from a test lunar orbiter return capsule on Nov. 1, with that capsule returning to Earth under parachute after successfully making a round-trip to the Moon during an eight-day mission.