China's second lunar orbiter Chang'e-2 has completed its 6 month-long mission with operations continuing to run as normal in this extended period. Launched on October 1st, 2010, the orbiter has gathered lunar scientific data and has performed "perfectly," says a Chinese lunar scientist.
Zhou Jianliang, Vice Chief Designer, Monitor System of Chang'e-2 Satellite,said, "We will first run some measures and control experiments. Then the satellite will adjust its orbit to take photos of the north and south poles of the moon. After that it will once again approach the Bay of Rainbows area, the proposed landing ground for Chang'e-3, and capture more images."
China launched its lunar mission in 2007 by successfully sending an unmanned probe - Chang'e-1, into the moon's orbit. The next mission will send a landing craft and rover vehicle to the moon's surface by 2013.
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