China News Service, Beijing, December 13 (Guo Chaokai and Duan Xun) The reporter learned from the China National Space Administration that at 9:51 on December 13th, Beijing time, the Chang'e-5 orbiter and returner combination carried out the second lunar-ground transfer In the incident, four 150N engines were successfully ignited at a distance of about 230 kilometers from the lunar surface. After about 22 minutes, the engines shut down normally.
According to real-time telemetry data monitoring and judgment, the orbiter and returner combination successfully entered the lunar-earth transfer orbit.
Schematic diagram of the moon-to-earth transfer orbit of the Chang'e 5 probe. Image provided by: China National Space Administration; Supporting Units: "Our Space" Innovation Practice Center, Beijing Space Flight Control Center
Later, the Chang'e-5 orbiter and returner assembly carrying lunar samples will undergo midway orbit correction during the lunar-to-earth transfer process, and the separation of the orbiter and the returner will be carried out at an opportunity.
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