No more orbital correction for China's lunar probe, scientist

China's first lunar probe will fly to the moon orbit with no more orbital corrections, the state media reported. The satellite Chang'e-1 would be commanded to apply first break tomorrow morning with no planned orbital corrections, a space scientist said. The orbital correction last Friday has made the satellite run accurately in the transforming orbit heading to the moon, Tang Geshi, a Beijing Aerospace Control Centre (BACC) scientist, said, according to Xinhua news agency. Chang'e-1, China's most sophisticated satellite, has been flying at a speed of 500 metres per second to the space where the moon's gravity could capture it. It is expected to enter the moon orbit Monday. The 2,300 kg lunar orbiter was shot into space by Long March 3A carrier from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in south-western province of Sichuan on October 24, marking the first step in China's ambitious three-phased moon exploration mission. The satellite would beam the first picture of the moon in late November and continue scientific exploration of the moon for a year.