Chinas lunar orbiter may not crash into moons surface

Scientists in China are working on several proposals relating to ways of disposing of their first lunar orbiter, Change I, and it is likely that it may not to crash into moons surface after the end of its year-long voyage, as previously suggested.

New Delhi, Dec 15 : Scientists in China are working on several proposals relating to ways of disposing of their first lunar orbiter, Chang'e I, and it is likely that it may not to crash into moon's surface after the end of its year-long voyage, as previously suggested.

Scientists are currently working on two proposals. One, relating to taking the orbiter very close to the moon, and other to expand the orbit to a level that would enable Chang'e I to observe the whole solar system.

"One, is to gradually lower the satellite's orbit from the current 200 km to00 km, and then 50 km, so we can observe the moon more closely," China Daily quoted Hao Xifan, Deputy Director of the Lunar Exploration Center of the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defence, as saying at a lecture in Beijing.

It would be impossible for Chang'e I to fly back to Earth because it does not have enough fuel, he said, adding that whatever option the scientists would choose would depend on the condition of the satellite.

ANI