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China launches Chang'e-4, in attempt to be first in landing on far side of the Moon

China successfully launched the Chang'e-4 lunar probe aboard a Long March 3B rocket at 2:23 a.m. BJT on December 8. With a lander and rover, its key mission is to explore the far side of the Moon, a s...

Chang'e 4 (lander and rover)

Overview

Destination: Lunar Orbit
Mission: Robotic Exploration

Lunar Orbit Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Chang'e 4 is a Chinese lunar exploration mission, incorporating a robotic lander and rover. Chang'e 4 will be China's second lunar lander and rover. The spacecraft is named after the Chinese Moon goddess. This will be the first mission to attempt soft landing on the far side of the Moon.

Long March 3B/E

Family:
Configuration: B/E

The Long March 3B / E (G2) (CZ-3B / E) is one of the most successful medium-range launchers and the strongest variant of the CZ-3 series. It was specially developed for the transport of heavy communications satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. The additional designation "E" stands for a higher payload fairing, stretched boosters and extended fuel tanks at the first stage, over the CZ-3B.

Specifications

Stages
3
Length
56.3 m
Diameter
3.35 m
Fairing Diameter
4.2 m
Launch Mass
456.0 T
Thrust
5924.0 kN

Family

Name
Long March 3B/E
Family
―
Variant
B/E
Alias
CZ-3B/E
Full Name
Long March 3B/E

Payload Capacity

Launch Cost
$70000000
Low Earth Orbit
12000.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
5500.0 kg
Direct Geostationary
―
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
―

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 562 Failures: 15 Pending: 9

Agency Type:

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

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