BEIJING, Jan. 8 (China Space News) — China’s lunar probe Chang’e-2 had traveled more than 10 million km into space by January 5, becoming China’s furthest spacecraft from Earth.
Developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Chang’e-2 was launched on Oct. 1, 2010 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
Its predecessor Chang’e-1 only flew for 380,000 km into space. Chang’e-2’s flight of 10 million km in its prolonged service is the farthest that a Chinese spacecraft has ever achieved.
Since its blast-off, Chang’e 2 has broken many records. It was the first spacecraft to capture a full-image map of the moon and it was the first to closely observe the asteroid Toutatis.
