News on China's scientific and technological development.

HD Video - Lift off for China's second lunar probe

"China launched its Chang’e-2 Lunar Orbiter today (Friday); taking it a step closer to one day landing a man on the moon. The orbiter will take photos of the Bay of Rainbows on the moon, where they plan to land Chang’e-3."

"Once it reaches lunar orbit, Chang'e 2 will be able to snap pictures of the surface with 10 times the resolution of Chang'e 1. One area of interest is the lava-flooded Bay of Rainbows; China's top destination for its first lunar lander, which could launch in 2013."

Please make sure to select 720p in the bottom right-hand corner. It is far clearer than 480p.

Photograph of real Chang'e-2



"China’s Lunar Exploration Program and the Chang E 2 Mission
| by Gregory Kulacki | China |
October 1, 2010


Image: The Change E 2 Lunar Orbiter as it was being positioned for installation on the Long March 3C launch vehicle at the launch site in Xichang.

China launched its second unmanned mission to the moon this morning at 6:59am EST. The robotic probe being sent on this mission, called the Chang E 2, follows on the success of the Chang E 1 mission, which sent China’s first probe to the moon almost three years ago on October 24, 2007.

The Chang E Project is also called the China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). Chang E is the name China has given to its lunar orbiters, derived from a character in an ancient Chinese folk tale: Chang E is China’s “woman on the moon.”

In 2004, the Chinese government authorized a three-stage robotic lunar exploration mission:

Stage 1: Orbiters will circle the moon and collect data.

Stage 2: Robotic probes will land on the lunar surface to collect and analyze lunar samples and transmit the data back to Earth.

Stage 3: After landing on the moon, the robotic probe will return to Earth with a set of moon rocks and soil sample.

According to a CCTV announcement accompanying today’s Chang E 2 launch, all three stages of the program are now fully funded. There is no fixed timetable for the separate stages, although Chinese space officials have been quoted in the press estimating that the second stage should be well underway by the middle of the decade and the program should be completed by 2020. The second and third stages are believed to require the new Long March 5 launch vehicle, capable of carrying heavier payloads than China’s current fleet of rockets. The LM5 is currently under development and scheduled to enter service in 2012 from a new launch site being constructed near the city of Wenchang on Hainan Island.

The Chang E 1 orbiter circled the moon 200 km above the surface, taking pictures and mapping the lunar surface. It also conducted a survey of the elements and types of materials present on the lunar surface, examining in some detail the characteristics and thickness of the lunar regula: the dusty coating on the surface of the moon. According to a recent Chinese press report the data collected during the first Chang E mission is considered secret and is still being analyzed by the small team of Chinese specialists granted access to the data. Earlier reports indicated that the Chang E 1 data would be made public.

The Chang E 2 orbiter will circle the moon at an altitude of only 100 km, getting a closer look at the surface with the goal of choosing a site for the lander that is intended to touch down on the lunar surface in Stage 2. Chang E 2 will then maneuver into an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 100km and a perigee of 15km, at which time a high resolution three-dimensional CCD camera will take images of possible landing sites."

[Note: To my knowledge, this is the first known photograph of the real Chang'e-2.]

Chang'e-1's (and World's) first Microwave Map of entire Moon revealed




"China microwaves the Moon
By Duncan Geere |23 September 2010 |Categories: Wired Science

China has just become the first country in the world to scan the entire surface of the Moon using microwave radiation and a lunar-orbiting satellite called Chang'E-1.
...
The survey was conducted using a device called the Lunar Microwave Radiometer, which scanned every inch of the surface at high resolution.

It measures microwave radiation in four channels, allowing it to measure the properties of different layers of rock just below the surface. One measures the rock a few centimetres down, whereas another can penetrate several metres. The idea is to try and work out how much helium-3 is buried in the crust.

Helium-3 is particularly interesting, because it's thought that it could be used as fuel in fusion reactors; potentially powering future moonbases. It's rare on Earth, but collects in greater quantities on the Moon due to its exposure to the solar wind over billions of years. On Earth, we're protected by the atmosphere and the planet's magnetic field, but the Moon has neither.

China plans to launch its next spacecraft, Chang'E-2, in October. It'll also orbit the Moon, scanning the surface with a camera with larger resolution in preparation for Chang'E-3, a lunar lander scheduled for launch in 2013, which will collect soil samples directly from the surface.

Photo Credit: Chang'E-1 | Online Editor: Olivia Solon"




"Microwave map of entire moon revealed
By Tannith Cattermole
23:41 September 20, 2010

The first complete microwave image of the Moon taken by Chinese lunar satellite Chang'E-1 has been revealed. Chang’E-1 is China’s first scientific mission to explore planetary bodies beyond Earth and the on-board Lunar Microwave Radiometer has made it possible for the first time to globally map the Moon in microwave frequencies. Radar observations of the Moon are unable to provide thermal information, and microwave observations taken from Earth cannot reach the far side of the moon. So Chang'E-1's (CE-1) orbit was conducted at an altitude of 200km (124 miles) and allowed it to observe every location of the moon with a nadir view and at high spatial resolution.

The Lunar Microwave Radiometer (MRM) was able to obtain brightness temperature data globally eight times from the surface and deeper layers of the Moon, revealing radiation and its variation during both lunar daytime and night-time periods. This allowed a valuable opportunity to study the lunar regolith – ‘dust’ and impact debris that covers almost the entire surface of the Moon.

The MRM measured microwaves in four frequency channels measuring layers a few centimeters below the surface to depths beyond a few meters. This allowed scientists to infer the thermo-physical properties of the lunar regolith as well as variation of its thickness. They hope this information will help them to estimate distribution and amount of helium 3 which has been suggested as a nuclear fuel for in-situ fusion energy production in possible future human settlements on the Moon. Furthermore a state-of the-art image with unprecedented image quality and positioning precision was produced by the stereo camera, and the Solar Wind Ion Detector (SWID) discovered acceleration of scattered solar wind protons close to the lunar polar terminator.

The results of the mission will be presented by Dr. Yong-Chun Zheng and Dr. Kwing L. Chan from the Hong Kong University of Science &Technology at the European Planetary Science Congress in Rome from Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd September. “No future mission, from any country, has been planned with a comparable program in microwave measurement”, says Dr. Zheng of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. A sister orbital probe to CE-1, Chang'E-2, is scheduled to be launched in October 2010."

Chang'e-1's (predecessor to Chang'e-2) four key goals and suite of instruments


Artistic rendition of Chang'e-1 above the Moon



"Chang'e-1 launch to expand lunar exploration
By Emily Clark
23:18 October 28, 2007

The Chang’e-1 spacecraft successfully blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, Sichuan, atop a Long March 3A rocket last week bound for lunar orbit. The launch by the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA), is China’s first step in a program that aims to land robotic explorers on the Moon before 2020.

The purpose of the Chang’e-1 (named after the Chinese goddess of the Moon) mission is to complete four key goals: making three-dimensional images of lunar landforms and outline maps of major lunar geological structures; analyzing up to 14 chemical elements and their distribution across the lunar surface; measuring the depth of the lunar soil; and exploring the space weather between the Earth and the Moon. To perform its mission objectives, Chang’e-1 carries a variety of instruments: a CCD stereo camera, a laser altimeter, an imaging interferometer, a gamma-ray/X-ray spectrometer, a microwave radiometer, a high-energy particle detector, and a solar wind particle detector.

Weighing in at 2350 kg (more than 5000 pounds), Chang’e-1 will operate from a low, circular lunar orbit, just 200 km (124 miles) above the surface of the Moon. It will perform its science mission for a full year and represents the first phase in the Chinese Lunar Exploration Programme (CLEP). The next step next will involve a lunar lander and associated rover and plans are also being drawn up for a sample return mission to bring lunar rocks to Earth for analysis."

Three moon craters named after Chinese scientists


Cai Lun - Lat: 80.3°N, Long: 113.5°E, Diam: 43 km, Depth: , Rükl: (farside)


Bi Sheng - Lat: 78.4°N, Long: 148.6°E, Diam: 55 km, Depth: , Rükl: (farside)


Zhang Yuzhe - Lat: 69.1°S, Long: 137.8°W, Diam: 35 km, Depth: , Rükl: (farside)



"Three moon craters named after Chinese scientists
English.news.cn 2010-09-20 18:19:52

BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The International Astronomic Union (IAU) has named three impact craters on the moon after Chinese scientists Cai Lun, Bi Sheng and Zhang Yuzhe, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) announced Monday.

The announcement came more than one month after the IAU approved China's application for the naming on Aug. 2 this year.

Located at 80.3 degrees north latitude and 113.5 degrees east longitude with a diameter of 43 km, the Cai Lun crater is partially visible from the Earth when the librations are favorable. It was named after Cai Lun (57 BC-121 BC), a Chinese inventor credited with the invention of paper.

Located at 78.4 degrees north latitude and 148.6 degrees east longitude with a diameter of 55 km, the Bi Sheng crater was named after Bi Sheng (990 BC-1051 BC), a Chinese inventor credited with the invention of movable type.

Located at 69.1 degrees south latitude and 148.6 degrees west longitude on the moon with a diameter of 55 km, Zhang Yuzhe the impact crater was named after a Chinese astronomer who lived between 1902 and 1986.

With the IAU's recent namings, a total of 14 geological entities on the moon have been named after Chinese. The IAU has approved the namings of 1,993 geological entities on the moon since it was founded in 1935.

Liu Xiaoqun, an engineer of China's moon mission project, said the IAU naming is partly a reflection of a country's moon exploration capability and its scientific strength.

China is set to launch the Chang'e-2 lunar probe at the end of the year.

The country launched its first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, named after China's mythical Moon Goddess, on Oct. 24, 2007, from southwest China's Sichuan Province. The probe ended its 16-month mission on March 1, 2009, when it crashed into the moon's surface.

Editor: An"

Telemetry, tracking, and command systems for Chang'e-2


This undated photo shows a radio telescope at Kunming station of the National Astronomical Observatories; affiliated with Chinese Academy of Sciences in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. China successfully launched Chang'e II, China's second unmanned lunar probe, on Oct. 1, 2010. The TT&C (telemetry, track & command) system for Chang'e II, mainly designed by Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecom Technology (BITTT), was co-developed by Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), Xi'an Satellite Control Center, China Satellite Maritime Tracking & Control Department, and Shanghai Observatory, etc.. The ground application system for Chang'e II was mainly developed by the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (Xinhua Photo)


This undated photo shows staff members working at the China Science and Technology Network, which offers technology support for the Chang'e II lunar exploration program. (Xinhua Photo)


File photo taken on April 29, 2009 shows the Yuanwang 6 Space Tracking Ship. Yuanwang Space Tracking Ships numbered #3,5, and 6 undertake the telemetry, tracking, and command missions for Chang'e II. (Xinhua Photo)


File photo taken on Nov. 23, 2005 shows the Yuanwang 3 Space Tracking Ship. Yuanwang Space Tracking Ships numbered #3,5, and 6 undertake the telemetry, tracking, and command missions for Chang'e II. (Xinhua Photo)

Newslink:

China CRH380A VIP and First-class carriages

On September 30th and October 1st, CRH380A (e.g. CRH is an acronym for "China Railway High-speed") HSR entered temporary service on the Huning PDL (e.g. Passenger Dedicated Line for Shanghai-Nanjing HSR). During the trial run, the top speed reached was 342 km/h.


CRH380A at Changzhou Station


CRH380A VIP carriage


CRH380A First-class carriage

Note: Thank you to "greenlion" for the post.

China CRH380A Economy-class carriages


CRH380A at Nanjing Station


CRH380A Economy-class carriage


CRH380A Economy-class carriage

Note: Thank you to "greenlion" for the post.

China CRH380A Dining carriage


CRH380A at Danyang Station


CRH380A Dining carriage


CRH380A Dining carriage

Note: Thank you to "greenlion" for the post.

China's fifth-generation 400 km/h world's-most-advanced HSR is on its way


China's current state-of-the-art CRH380A 380 km/h world's fastest HSR.

First generation China CRH1 series (circa 2004) travels at a cruising speed of 250 km/h.
Second generation China CRH2 series (circa 2005) travels at a cruising speed of 300 km/h.
Third generation China CRH350 (circa 2008) travels at a cruising speed of 350 km/h.

Fourth generation China CRH380 (circa 2010) travels at a cruising speed of 380 km/h.

Fifth generation China CRH420 (circa 2011-12; development trainset named "CIT400") will travel at a cruising speed of 400 km/h+.

"China is developing the CRH420, the fifth generation of advanced high-speed CRH trains. The MOR (i.e. Ministry of Railways) plans to build a special trainset - CIT400; this specialized test-bed train will be used for experimental speeds, signal and communication system inspection, track and overhead line inspection, etc.

1. CIT400 will be based on CNR's CRH380B. It will have 8 cars (7M1T) and be completed by December 2010.

2. Top inspection speed will be 400 km/h; general operating speed 350 km/h.

3. To facilitate technical research for the next generation of CRH technologies, CIT400 will finish 450 km/h test by June 2011 and complete 500 km/h test by September 2011."

(News source: from China in Mandarin.)



"China sets new train speed record
Scott Maniquet September 29, 2010 – 3:58 pm

On Tuesday, a bullet train set a new speed record for trains that operate on conventional tracks while on a test run from Shanghai to Hangzhou, China.

The Chinese-made CRH380A bullet train went a blistering 416.6 kilometers per hour (258.86 miles per hour); topping the old record of 394.3 km/h set in China in 2008.

For comparison, Indy cars can reach top racing speeds of around 410 km/h, and Canada’s Via Rail lists their fastest locomotive as having a top speed of 160 km/h.

The Shanghai to Hangzhou train will normally operate at a more pedestrian 350 km/h and is expected to begin operation in 2012.

China already has the world’s longest high-speed network with plans to more than double its size to 16,000 kilometres; connecting all its major cities by 2020, the Shanghai Daily reports."

Note: Thank you to "greenlion" for the post.