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China’s moon programme: 3 satellites enter lunar orbit, fate of 2 that fell short isn’t clear
- Queqiao-2 communication relay satellite arrived 440km above the moon’s surface early on Monday, says CNSA
- State media says ‘work is under way to address’ DRO-A/B satellites that failed to reach their designated altitude after March 13 launch
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Ling Xinin Ohio
Three Chinese satellites have successfully entered lunar orbit, while the status of two others remains unclear after apparent rescue efforts.
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The Queqiao-2 communication relay satellite, launched from Wenchang Satellite Launch Centre in southern China on March 20, arrived at 440km (273 miles) above the moon’s surface early on Monday morning, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
Following a 19-minute-long braking burn which began at 12.46am, the spacecraft slowed, was caught by the moon’s gravity and entered a highly elliptical lunar orbit, the administration announced on its website.
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Two smaller satellites, Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2, which lifted off along with Queqiao-2 to test lunar navigation technologies, also successfully performed braking and entered lunar orbit on Monday morning. They will separate later, according to CNSA.
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