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China all set to launch lunar orbiter

— Photo: AFP

READY FOR LAUNCH: The Chang’e I rocket and the orbiter (the bottle like object) on the launchpad in the Sichuan province on Tuesday.

BEIJING: Experts said on Tuesday that though China’s Long March 3A had completed 14 successful launches in a row, there are three major factors that may affect its task of launching the nation’s first lunar orbiter.

The factors include operating errors by staff on the launch site, unfavourable weather and the quality of the rocket itself.

Jin Zhiqiang, deputy command-in-chief of the rocket system of the lunar probe programme, said harsh weather could cause short circuits in electronic components in the rocket. Earlier media reports said China was planning to launch the orbiter at around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province.

The lunar satellite has been named Chang’e I after the Chinese goddess who, according to legend, flew to the moon.

“The satellite will be launched between Oct. 24 and 26 and our first choice is around 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 24,” said a spokesman for the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The lunar probe is expected to enter earth-moon transfer orbit on October 31 and arrive in the moon’s orbit on November 5. The satellite will relay the first pictures of the moon in late November and continue scientific explorations for a year.

The orbiter will carry out a series of projects including acquiring 3-D images and analysing the distribution of elements on the moon’s surface. — Xinhua

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