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Chang'e-2 in working orbit after 3rd braking

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-09 13:56

BEIJING - China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-2, has successfully completed its third, also the final, braking Saturday, which allowed the satellite to enter a 100 km-high lunar orbit, according to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).

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Chang'e-2, following instructions from the center, started the third braking at 11:17 am and entered the 118-minute, round working orbit 15 minutes later, changing the satellite's apolune from 1,825 km to about 100 km, the BACC said. The satellite will begin scientific exploration activities soon.

Chang'e-2 lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, in Southwest China's Sichuan province, on October 1. The moon probe completed its first braking on Wednesday and the second on Friday.