04 January 2019
A number of core instruments onboard the Gaofen 5 satellite recently passed the on-orbit test, marking a breakthrough for China in monitoring air pollutants, greenhouse gases and aerosols. The three payloads -- an Environment Monitoring Instrument, Greenhouse-gases Monitoring Instrument and Directional Polarization Camera -- were developed by Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (AIOFM).
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03 January 2019
An overview of the landing sequence
Breathtaking high dive! How Chang'e 4 landed fully automatic and autonomous on the Moon's far side - explained in a video

04 January 2019
The head of the Russian state space corporation Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, on 3 January congratulated the Chinese colleagues on the successful landing of the Chang'e 4 probe. "On behalf of Roscosmos State Corporation and on my own behalf, I want to congratulate you and the entire team of the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on the successful launch of the Chang'e 4 mission - the first soft landing on the far side of the moon in the history of mankind," Rogozin said in a letter of congratulation published at Roscosmos's website. He noted that Russia and China cooperate fruitfully in the field of space activities. "We are pleased that the power equipment of the Chang'e 4 mission is supplied by radioisotope sources of electricity produced in Russia," he said.
Rogozin's colleague, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, tweeted after the historic landing: "Congratulations to China’s Chang’e 4 team for what appears to be a successful landing on the far side of the Moon. This is a first for humanity and an impressive accomplishment!"
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04 January 2019
After separating from the lander, Yutu 2 has reached the preset location A on the far side of the Moon, pausing in front of a smaller crater. Scientific devices on both, the lander and rover, are currently gathering data, CNSA said late Friday (04 January). At 17:00 Beijing Time, the three 5-meter antennas of the low-frequency radio spectrometer on the lander have fully spread out. Germany's lunar neutron and radiation detector was turned on for testing. The ground control has been receiving geographic and geomorphic images. Environment screening and route planning is completed. The radar and panorama camera on the rover have been operating smoothly and other devices will begin operation according to schedule. Yutu 2 will enter a "napping" mode at an appropriate time and is expected to resume moving next Thursday, 10 January.
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