Chang'e 5

[Dalhousie]

The Chang'e 5 lunar sample return mission launched successfully from the Wenchang launch site a short time ago.  I watched the live broadcast which can be seen here

Launch is from 55 minutes in.

Landing will be ~November 27, and return to earth ~December 16–17.  Landing site is the Mons Rumker region of Oceanus Procellarum, known for it's cluster of small volcanic domes.

[raven]

I utterly and sincerely wish them the best. We haven't had  new samples from the moon since Luna 24 in 1976, far too long.

[JayUtah]

I very much want this mission to succeed.  Space exploration works best when every space program is constantly pushing its colleagues to attempt bold mission.  Plus I really admire the Long March 5.  Smooth LOX/LH2 engine starts, rock-solid guidance, flawless staging -- I have to admit it looked like a sweet ride.

[Dalhousie]

I hope the landing will be broadcast live, like Chang'e 3/Yutu  1, which I watched on a HD TV in Thailand.  Chang'e 4/Yutu was not, sadly.  Although when released later it looked amazing.

[Dalhousie]

Timeline, AFAIK

LOI  ( Lunar orbital insertion)   Saturday  28th November
Moon Landing ( Mons Rumker  area, Ocean of Storms )  20:30 UTC   Sunday 29th November.
Lift Off from Moon  Wednesday December 2
rendezvous and docking   Lunar module and command  service module Friday 4th December
TEI  ( Trans Earth Injection )   Thursday December 10 -   112 hour  flight.
Landing  ( China) Tuesday 15 December

(from China space exploration group, FB)

[Dalhousie]

LOI  ( Lunar orbital insertion) was at 14:15 UTC  Saturday  28th November.

Moon Landing now  20:30 UTC  Monday 30th November

[molesworth]

LOI  ( Lunar orbital insertion) was at 14:15 UTC  Saturday  28th November.

Moon Landing now  20:30 UTC  Monday 30th November

Can you tell us the source of your info on Chang'e 5 please?  All the sites I've been able to find still have it down for Sunday, and don't have any detailed timetable for other mission phases.  Even the CNSA site is vague on timings (but then they always are).

[Dalhousie]

LOI  ( Lunar orbital insertion) was at 14:15 UTC  Saturday  28th November.

Moon Landing now  20:30 UTC  Monday 30th November

Can you tell us the source of your info on Chang'e 5 please?  All the sites I've been able to find still have it down for Sunday, and don't have any detailed timetable for other mission phases.  Even the CNSA site is vague on timings (but then they always are).

My main sources of information are this forum on NASASpaceflight
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33431.msg2159855;boardseen#new

Plus this one on FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/36149951613

Both are quick off the mark

[Dalhousie]

The lander has separated from the orbiter

https://weibo.com/5616492130/JwgJHtcjC?from=page_1005055616492130_profile&wvr=6&mod=weibotime&type=comment

[Dalhousie]

See also https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-11-30/China-s-Chang-e-5-probe-to-execute-soft-landing-on-the-moon-VPBqsJu66k/index.html

[molesworth]

Great stuff!  Thanks @Dalhousie for the info - I've been following this mission closely, and keen to see all the steps coming together to get the sample and return it.  Fingers crossed...

[Dalhousie]

No worries molesworth!

Updated timeline from "Cosmic Penguin" on twitter.

https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1333308272795811845?s=19

Start of lander power descent: Dec. 1st 14:58

**LANDING ON LUNAR SURFACE**: Dec. 1st 15:13

Drilling of lunar sub-surface samples: Dec. 1st 17:15~19:45

Scooping of lunar surface samples: Dec. 1st 21:14 ~ Dec. 2nd 19:35

**LAUNCH OF LANDER ASCENT STAGE**: Dec. 3rd 15:10

Ascent stage solar arrays deploy: Dec. 3rd 15:27

Ascent stage phasing burns: Dec. 3rd 22:05, Dec. 4th 08:04, Dec. 4th 19:46, Dec. 5th 11:54

Start of ascent stage-orbiter rendezvous: Dec. 5th 18:14

**ASCENT STAGE-ORBITER DOCKING**: Dec. 5th 21:40

Completion of sample transfer: Dec. 5th 22:01

Orbiter/Return Capsule separation from ascent stage: Dec. 6th 04:35

Orbiter phasing burns 1-3: Nov. 30th 23:59, Dec. 1st 20:22, Dec. 2nd 14:42

Forward structure separation: Dec. 2nd 19:46

Orbiter phasing burn 4: Dec. 3rd 03:35

TEI.....

All times UTC.

Just to note that CSNA currently have seven operational spacecraft on or around the Moon.  These are: Chang'e-3 lander, Chang'e-4 lander and Yutu-2 rover, Queqiao relay satellite, CE-5 T1 orbiter, CE5 orbiter and the CE-5 lander/ascent vehicle.

[Obviousman]

Are those times ZULU (UTC)? or Beijing local?

[molesworth]

Thanks @Dalhousie!

@Obviousman - they're UTC, so not the middle of the night for me at least :-)

[Dalhousie]

Thanks @Dalhousie!

@Obviousman - they're UTC, so not the middle of the night for me at least :-)

They are for me... 

Or, to quote Apollo 13, "very, very AM"