Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Chang’e 3 Mission Overview

Space Science Reviews volume 190, pages 85–101 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

The Chang’e 3 (CE-3) mission was implemented as the first lander/rover mission of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). After its successful launch at 01:30 local time on December 2, 2013, CE-3 was inserted into an eccentric polar lunar orbit on December 6, and landed to the east of a 430 m crater in northwestern Mare Imbrium (19.51°W, 44.12°N) at 21:11 on December 14, 2013. The Yutu rover separated from the lander at 04:35, December 15, and traversed for a total of 0.114 km. Acquisition of science data began during the descent of the lander and will continue for 12 months during the nominal mission. The CE-3 lander and rover each carry four science instruments. Instruments on the lander are: Landing Camera (LCAM), Terrain Camera (TCAM), Extreme Ultraviolet Camera (EUVC), and Moon-based Ultraviolet Telescope (MUVT). The four instruments on the rover are: Panoramic Camera (PCAM), VIS-NIR Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS), Active Particle induced X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), and Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR). The science objectives of the CE-3 mission include: (1) investigation of the morphological features and geological structures of and near the landing area; (2) integrated in-situ analysis of mineral and chemical composition of and near the landing area; and (3) exploration of the terrestrial-lunar space environment and lunar-based astronomical observations. This paper describes the CE-3 objectives and measurements that address the science objectives outlined by the Comprehensive Demonstration Report of Phase II of CLEP. The CE-3 team has archived the initial science data, and we describe data accessibility by the science community.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • B. Chen, K.F. Song, Z.H. Li, Q.W. Wu, Q.L. Ni, X.D. Wang, J.J. Xie, S.J. Liu, L.P. He, F. He, X.G. Wang, B. Chen, H.J. Zhang, X.D. Wang, H.F. Wang, X. Zheng, S.L. E, Y.C. Wang, T. Yu, L. Sun, J.L. Wang, Z. Wang, L. Yang, Q.L. Hu, K. Qiao, Z.S. Wang, X.W. Yang, H.M. Bao, W.G. Liu, Z. Li, Y. Chen, Y. Gao, H. Sun, W.C. Chen, Development and calibration of the Moon-based EUV camera for Chang’e 3. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1654–1663 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • G.Y. Fang, B. Zhou, Y.C. Ji, Q.Y. Zhang, S.X. Shen, Y.X. Li, H.F. Guan, C.J. Tang, Y.Z. Gao, W. Lu, S.B. Ye, H.D. Han, J. Zheng, S.Z. Wang, Lunar penetrating radar onboard the Chang’e-3 mission. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1607–1622 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.Q. Feng, J.-J. Liu, F. He, W. Yan, X. Ren, X. Tan, L.-P. He, B. Chen, W. Zuo, W.-B. Wen, Y. Su, Y.-L. Zou, C.-L. Li, Data processing and initial results from the CE-3 Extreme Ultraviolet Camera. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1664–1673 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • X.-H. Fu, C.-L. Li, G.-L. Zhang, Y.-L. Zou, J.-J. Liu, X. Ren, X. Tan, X.-X. Zhang, W. Zuo, W.-B. Wen, W.-X. Peng, X.-Z. Cui, C.-M. Zhang, H.-Y. Wang, Data processing for the active particle-induced X-ray spectrometer and initial scientific results from Chang’e-3. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1595–1606 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • W.D. Gonzalez, B.T. Tsurutani, A.L. Clua de Gonzalez, Interplanetary origin of magnetic storms. Space Sci. Rev. 88, 529 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Z.P. He, B.Y. Wang, G. Lü, C.L. Li, L.Y. Yuan, R. Xu, B. Liu, K. Chen, J.Y. Wang, Operating principles and detection characteristics of the visible and near-infrared imaging spectrometer in the Chang’e-3. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1567–1577 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • V. Kaydash, Y. Shkuratov, G. Videen, Landing of the probes Luna 23 and Luna 24 remains an enigma. Planet. Space Sci. 89, 172–182 (2013)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • C.L. Li, L.L. Mu, X.D. Zou, J.J. Liu, X. Ren, X.G. Zeng, Y.M. Yang, Z.B. Zhang, Y.X. Liu, W. Zuo, H. Li, Analysis of the geomorphology surrounding the Chang’e-3 landing site. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1514–1529 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • B. Liu, C.L. Li, G.L. Zhang, R. Xu, J.J. Liu, X. Ren, X. Tan, X.X. Zhang, W. Zuo, W.B. Wen, Data processing and preliminary results of the Chang’e-3 VIS/NIR Imaging Spectrometer In-situ Analysis. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1578–1594 (2014a)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.J. Liu, W. Yan, C.L. Li, X. Tan, X. Ren, L.L. Mu, Reconstructing the landing trajectory of the CE-3 lunar probe by using images from the landing camera. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1530–1542 (2014b)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Mendillo, Storms in the ionosphere: patterns and processes for total electron content. Rev. Geophys. 44, RG4001 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • D.L. Murphy, R.R. Vondrak, Effects of levitated dust on astronomical observations from the lunar surface, in Proc. 24th Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. (1993), pp. 1033–1034

    Google Scholar 

  • X. Ren, C.L. Li, J.J. Liu, F.F. Wang, J.F. Yang, E.H. Liu, B. Xue, R.J. Zhao, A method and results of color calibration for the Chang’e-3 terrain camera and panoramic camera. Res. Astron. Astrophys., 1557–1566 (2014)

  • Y. Su, G.Y. Fang, J.Q. Feng, S.G. Xing, Y.C. Ji, B. Zhou, Y.Z. Gao, H. Li, S. Dai, Y. Xiao, C.L. Li, Data processing and initial results of Chang’e-3 lunar penetrating radar. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1623–1632 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • X. Tan, J.J. Liu, C.L. Li, J.Q. Feng, X. Ren, F.F. Wang, W. Yan, W. Zuo, X.Q. Wang, Z.B. Zhang, Scientific data products and the data pre-processing subsystem of the Chang’e-3 mission. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1682–1694 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • F.F. Wang, J.J. Liu, C.L. Li, X. Ren, L.L. Mu, W. Yan, W.R. Wang, J.T. Xiao, X. Tan, X.X. Zhang, X.D. Zou, X.Y. Gao, A new lunar absolute control point: established by images from the landing camera on Chang’e-3. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1543–1556 (2014)

    Article  ADS  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • J. Wang, J.S. Deng, J. Cui, L. Cao, Y.L. Qiu, J.Y. Wei, Lunar exosphere influence on lunar-based near-ultraviolet astronomical observations. Adv. Space Res. 48, 1927–1934 (2011)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • W.B. Wen, F. Wang, C.L. Li, J. Wang, L. Cao, J.J. Liu, X. Tan, Y. Xiao, Q. Fu, Y. Su, W. Zuo, Data processing and initial results from the CE-3 extreme ultraviolet camera. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1674–1681 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • W.R. Wu, Z.Y. Pei, T.J. Liu (eds.), Chang’e 3 Mission Technical Handbook (China Astronautic Publishing House, Beijing, 2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • H.B. Zhang, L. Zheng, Y. Su, G.Y. Fang, B. Zhou, J.Q. Feng, S.G. Xing, S. Dai, J.D. Li, Y.C. Ji, Y.Z. Gao, Y. Xiao, C.L. Li, Performance evaluation of lunar penetrating radar onboard the rover of CE-3 probe based on results from ground experiments. Res. Astron. Astrophys. 14, 1633–1641 (2014)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Julie Stopar for proofreading the manuscript that helped improve this paper and the two referees for their constructive comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China

    Chunlai Li, Jianjun Liu, Xin Ren, Wei Zuo, Xu Tan, Weibin Wen, Han Li, Lingli Mu, Yan Su, Hongbo Zhang, Jun Yan & Ziyuan Ouyang

Authors
  1. Chunlai Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianjun Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xin Ren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wei Zuo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xu Tan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Weibin Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Han Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Lingli Mu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yan Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Hongbo Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Jun Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Ziyuan Ouyang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Han Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, C., Liu, J., Ren, X. et al. The Chang’e 3 Mission Overview. Space Sci Rev 190, 85–101 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-014-0134-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-014-0134-7

Keywords

search

Navigation