Beijing: The orbiter-return combination of China’s Chang’e-5 lunar probe made its second orbital maneuver on Sunday and entered the Moon-Earth transfer orbit, according to the China National Space Administration. Also read: China becomes the second country to unfurl its flag on the Moon, as the Chang’e-5 probe takes off towards Earth
Four 150N engines in the orbiter-returner combination turned on when they were 230 km from the lunar surface and shut down after 22 minutes, the Xinhua news agency reported, citing the administration in a statement. Also read: China’s unmanned spacecraft Chang’e 5 makes a successful landing on the Moon
According to real-time monitoring data, the orbiter-returner combination successfully entered the target orbit.
Later, the combination of spacecraft carrying lunar samples will perform an orbital correction during its journey to Earth.
When the time is right, the orbiter and the returner will part ways, according to the administration.
The Chang’e-5, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascendant and a return, was launched on November 24.
Its orbiter-returner combination completed its first orbital maneuver on Saturday.