Chinese space tracking ships complete monitoring of Chang'e 5 probe launch

YUANWANG 5 -- Two space tracking ships from China's Yuanwang fleet completed their maritime monitoring of the Chang'e 5 probe launch in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday morning.

Launched at 4:30 am (Beijing Time), the spacecraft was sent into its present orbit by a Long March 5 Y5 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in South China's island province of Hainan.

About six minutes after liftoff, Yuanwang 6 detected and locked on to the target, and completed its monitoring. After the rocket traveled for more than 30 minutes, Yuanwang 5 continued the task.

The maritime monitoring process lasted a total of 1,100 seconds. The two ships sent accurate real-time data to spacecraft control centers in Beijing and Wenchang, laying the foundation for the Chang'e 5 mission.

Yuanwang 5 and Yuanwang 6 will now sail to their next mission areas, while Yuanwang 3 will participate in the follow-up monitoring work for the lunar probe.