Chang'e-2 Targets Lunar Bay of Rainbows

The Chang'e-2 lunar remote sensing satellite, now in route from Earth to the Moon, will target the Bay of Rainbows for detailed high resoultion images for the proposed landing ground for Chang'e-3.

The Bay of Rainbows, or Sinus Iridium (JAXA vid), is located at about 43 degrees north latitude and 31 west longitude with a width of 300 kilometers. It is considered one of the most beautiful features on the Moon.

"Previously, most lunar programs landed around the equator of the moon, an area easier for monitoring and control maneuvers, but Chang'e-3 will take on greater challenges," noted Wu Weiren, the chief designer of China's lunar exploration program.