Success
Chang'e 3 & Yutu
Robotic Exploration
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC)GovernmentLong March 3B
LOorbit
Chang'e 3 is an uncrewed lunar exploration mission consisting of a robotic lander and China's first lunar rover Yutu. The main objective of the mission is to achieve China's first soft landing and roving exploration on the Moon, as well as performing lunar-based astronomical observation and studying lunar topography and geology.
Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Replay
Mission details
The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program also known as the Chang'e Project after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e, is an ongoing series of robotic Moon missions by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The program incorporates lunar orbiters, landers, rovers and sample return spacecraft, launched using Long March rockets.
Jan 1, 2003 — ongoing
Orbital Attempt
#5,340
CASC Mission
#132
Pad Launch
#54
Location Launch
#81
Designator
2013-070
Launch Window
NET
Dec 1, 2013, 5:30 PM
Schedule Changes
1 update
Long March 3B Specs
The Long March 3B is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. Introduced in 1996, it is launched from Launch Area 2 and 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. A three-stage rocket with four strap-on liquid rocket boosters, it is currently the most powerful member of the Long March rocket family and the heaviest of the Long March 3 rocket family, and is mainly used to place communications satellites into geosynchronous orbits.
Length
54.8 m
Diameter
3.35 m
Launch Mass
426 t
Thrust
5,923 kN
LEO Capacity
11,500 kg
GTO Capacity
5,100 kg
GEO Capacity
2,000 kg
Launch Cost
$70M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1996
Fastest Turnaround
25d 23h
Total Launches
24
Successful
21
Failed
3
Consecutive Success
3
Maiden flight: Feb 14, 1996
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
Founded
1999
Administrator
Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei
Total Launches
592
Successful
577
Failed
15
Pending
9
Consecutive Success
18
Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center is a spaceport in China. It is located in Zeyuan Town, northwest of Xichang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan.
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Local Launch Time
Dec 2, 2013, 1:30 AM
Total Launches
239
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
28.2460, 102.0266