Chang'e Heads For The Moon

China launches moon orbiter with patriotic blast, Reuters

“China launched its first moon orbiter on Wednesday amid a blaze of live-to-air patriotic propaganda celebrating the country’s space ambitions and technological prowess. The Chang’e One orbiter lifted off from the southwestern province of Sichuan at 1005 GMT. Barring technical failure, it will reach its lunar orbit on Nov. 5 and spend more than a year scanning the lunar surface in preparation for an unmanned moon vehicle planned for 2012 and a manned landing in future decades.”

1st lunar probe launch successful – official, China Daily

“The launch of the lunar probe “marks another milestone in China’s aerospace program after man-made satellites and manned space flights”, said Chinese vice-premier Zeng Peiyan, who was watching the launch at the Xichang launch center.”

Editor’s note: I will be on CNN Asia on Wednesday evening round 7:30 pm 7:45 pm EDT to discuss this launch.

Editor’s update: Video of my Interview, CNN Asia – Ever wonder what would I say if I was the commander of an American lunar lander upon greeting some taikonauts who had already arrived on the Moon?

1st moon orbiter likely to be invisible to amateur astronomers, China Daily

Countdown to another leap upward, China Daily

Official: Chang’e launch time confirmed, Shanghai Daily

“China will launch its first lunar orbiter at 6:05pm tomorrow from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, officials confirmed at a news conference this morning.”