Last month the Chinese microsatellite Longjiang-2 entered the orbit of the moon. He recently turned to the Earth and did the first test photos that look just fine. Particularly attracted by the picture of our planet, partially covered by the shadow of the moon.
Pictures were taken on may 28 with the camera, the installation of which was financed by a Prince from Saudi Arabia. These photos once again show how small our world is compared to space.
May 21, Longjiang Sputnik-2 and his brother Longjiang-1 was launched by China. This is a very compact satellites the size of a locker, Luggage storage and weighing 45 pounds.
Both the satellite was to enter orbit of the moon, but Longjiang-1 failed and lost in space. Longjiang-2 reached the moon’s orbit.
In the satellite there is not a specific important task. It was launched in support of the ship Queqiao, which is currently located at the Lagrange point. He is a telecommunication satellite, which will be sent signals to Earth for the upcoming mission CNSA Chang’e-4.
In the framework of the mission Chang’e-4 in the far side of the moon will be sent to the lander. Communication satellite needed for the reason that the Moon blocks the signals in the direction of the Earth.
The Chinese lunar satellite made an attractive photo of the Earth
Ernest Vasilevskiy