At 2:23am December 8, 2018 of Beijing Time, following an “Ignite” order, the highly anticipated Chang’e-4 Probe was launched successfully at Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Chang’e-4 Probe is expected to make a soft landing on the far side of the moon for the first time in human history. People that were present witnessing the launching process were cheering for this great moment. The biological science dissemination test load project directed by Chongqing University is carried by Chang’e-4 Probe and is heading for the moon.

Chang’e-4 Probe will go through processes such as earth-moon transfer, braking at perilune and circumlunar flying before it eventually make a soft landing on the far side of the moon for the first time in human history. Its mission is to carry out in situ detection and patrol detection on the far side, and realize relay communication between the earth and the far side of the moon via the “Magpie Bridge” relay satellite that is already flying on the mission orbit.

According to State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence and China National Space Administration, the purposes of Chang’e-4 Probe include development and launching of moon relay communication satellite to realize measurement and control and relay communication of earth-moon Lagrange L2-point for the first time in human history; and development and launching of lunar lander and patroller to realize soft landing and patrol detection on the far side of the moon for the first time in human history.

According to spacemen, the unique electromagnetic field environment and geologic features on the far side of the moon are suitable for scientific researches such as moon material composition exploration and space astronomy research like low-frequency radio exploration. There has been no successful landing on the far side of the moon in human history and as such, this will enhance our understanding of the myths of the universe.

The scientific missions of Chang’e-4 Probe include low-frequency radio astronomical observation and research on the far side of the moon; exploration and research of morphology, mineral composition and lunar surface structure in the patrol area of the far side of the moon; trial exploration and research of lunar environment such as radiation dosage and neutral atoms on the far side of the moon.

To enhance international exchange and cooperation, and expand opening-up and sharing, scientific load test projects undertaken in collaboration with Holland, Germany, Sweden and Saudi Arabia are included as missions of Chang’e-4 Probe. In addition, Chang’e-4 Probe is also carrying 3 scientific and technological test projects undertaken by domestic universities including Harbin Institute of Technology, Sun Yat-sen University and Chongqing University.

Picture source: people.com.cn