China's lunar probe to image landing area

The Chang'e II, China's second lunar probe, conducted an imaging tests of its CCD camera yesterday and it will track down and enter into an orbit around the moon of 100 kilometers by 15 kilometers on Tuesday by an enhanced thrust from the launch vehicle.

After the third image tests, the Chnag'e II will enter into and image the Rainbow Bay, the landing area for the satellite.

The imaging tests of the CCD camera aboard the satellite started yesterday in the early morning. It ceaselessly conducted the work of interruption and restoration of power supply and flew around the moon every two hours, according to Zhang Bo, chief designer of the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Communication Technology.

The three imaging tests are just preparations for the imaging of the Rainbow Bay, said Zhang.

Yesterday's imaging tests show the camera works well and Chang'e II is still running around an orbit of 100 kilometers by 100 kilometers.

By Liang Jun, People's Daily Online