Chang'e-3 moon landing set for Sat. night

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? The control center in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

Special

BEIJING - China's lunar probe Chang'e-3 landed on the moon on Saturday night, according to sources in charge of the mission. The entire process of soft-landing lasted 12 minutes and was performed by the probe itself, said the sources on Saturday, adding that the Chang'e-3 mission has so far proceeded as planned.

The probe started decelerating from 15 km above the lunar surface and its relative speed was reduced from 1.7 km/s to nil. It stayed suspended at 100 meters above the moon to assess the landing area to avoid obstacles and locate the final landing spot.

This marked the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.

Chang'e-3 landed in Sinus Iridum, or the Bay of Rainbows, a lunar area that remains unstudied and should enable smooth communication and ample sunshine with its level terrain.

Following the successful landing, moon rover "Yutu" will leave the lander for mobile exploration while the lander will conduct surveying from its fixed position.

China launched the Chang'e-3 lunar probe with the country's first moon rover onboard on December 2, marking a significant step toward deep space exploration.

IN MINUTES

21:16

The space authorities declared a safe landing of the lunar probe on the moon, according to China Central Television.

21:15

The entire process of soft-landing lasted 12 minutes and was performed by the probe itself, with "practically zero" chance of manual intervention being required, according to sources in charge of the mission.

Still?image taken from live broadcast of Chang'e-3 landing by China Central Television?

21:10

China's lunar probe Chang'e-3 is hovering 100 meters above the moon to assess the landing area with sensors in order to locate the final landing spot.

21:07

The lunar probe started to land 15 kilometers above the moon's surface.

21:01

Challenges include rock, ditch, and slope.

20:59

China's lunar probe Chang'e-3 is?making an attempt to soft-land on the moon now.