Mission Details
| Mission Name: Chang’e 4 |
| Mission Type: Lunar Lander |
| Operator: CNSA (China National Space Administration) |
| Launching State: China |
| Location: Precise location unknown or undisclosed. |
| Latitude: -45.47084 |
| Longitude: 177.60563 |
| Launch Date: 7 December 2018, 18:23 UT |
| Landing Date: 3 January 2019, 02:26 UT |
| Objects on or Related to Site: Chang’e 4 Lander Yutu-2 Rover |
| Image Source: National Astronomical Observatories of China |
Description
The mission of Chang’e 4 is to explore the far side of the Moon.
Read more:
http://www.planetary.org/explore/space-topics/space-missions/change-4.html
Heritage Consideration
First soft landing on the far side of the Moon. First Earth plant ever to germinate on another celestial body besides Earth.
Object on or Related to Site
| Object Name: Chang’e 4 Lander | |
| Cospar: 2018-103A | |
| Norad: N/A | |
| Location: -45.47084,177.60563 | |
| Launch Date: 7 December 2018, 18:23 UT | |
| Landing Date: 3 January 2019, 02:26 UT | |
| Deployment: N/A | |
| End Date: 9 October 1967 | |
| Function: Lunar exploration. | |
| Image Source: National Astronomical Observatories of China |
Description
Chang’e 4 is a Chinese lunar exploration mission that achieved the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon, on 3 January 2019. The mission is the follow-up to Chang’e 3, the first Chinese landing on the Moon. The spacecraft was originally built as a backup for Chang’e 3 and became available after Chang’e 3 landed successfully in 2013.
Object on or Related to Site
| Object Name: Yutu-2 Rover |
| Cospar: 2018-103A |
| Norad: N/A |
| Location: Still mobile. |
| Launch Date: 7 December 2018, 18:23 UTC |
| Landing Date: 3 January 2019, 02:26 UTC |
| Deployment: 3 January 2019, 02:26 UTC |
| End Date: Ongoing |
| Function: Lunar exploration. |
| Image Source: National Astronomical Observatories of China |
Description
Chang’e-4 (嫦娥四号) and Yutu-2 (玉兔二) are the world’s first lander and rover missions to the Moon’s far side. In December 2018, they landed within the South Pole-Aitken basin, where an ancient lunar impact may have exposed the Moon’s mantle. By studying this region directly, scientists will learn more about the early solar system and Earth. The mission also demonstrates the feasibility of future human and robotic far side missions. Current status: Chang’e-4 and Yutu-2 are conducting science operations. Both vehicles power down during lunar nights — a roughly 2-week period each month — when their location is in darkness.
Read more:
https://www.planetary.org/explore/space-topics/space-missions/change-4.html
