Moon landing 2013 (Chang'e 3)

[Jenteb07]

Coverage has started now!

[czokletmuss]

It's happening!

As you can see on the screen behind the reporter, there is 55 minutes left to landing.

[Tw1]

Ooo, Cool! This will be worth staying up for. Might have to go out and look at the Moon later.

[czokletmuss]

On this CGI presentation you can see how BIG is the lander (it's in scale I think):

From the Moon-simulating testing facility

Edited December 14, 2013 by czokletmuss

[Kerbin Dallas Multipass]

Descent will begin in 15 minutes

[Tw1]

Maneuver node coming up!

Also, doesn't seem to be visible on NASA's Eyes. Figures.

[Ralathon]

The presentators could've used some more Kerbal Space Program.

Anyway, powered decent has started.

[Kerbin Dallas Multipass]

burning now!

[czokletmuss]

Decelerating!

[Ralathon]

It's burning quite a lot of RCS fuel. I guess their main engine can't gimball?

[Lohan2008]

Possible landing within the next hour... WOOT !

The spacecraft is expected to make touchdown at 9.40pm on Saturday (0040 AEDT on Sunday), state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said, 12 days after the Chang'e-3 mission blasted off on a Long March-3B carrier rocket.

China is aiming to become the third country to carry out a rover mission, following the United States and former Soviet Union, which also made the last soft landing on the moon 37 years ago.

"China's lunar probe Chang'e-3 is expected to land on the moon at 21:40 BJT (Beijing Time) on Saturday," CCTV said in a post on Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter.

"The 12-minute autonomous landing will be the key to the success of the task," the post added.

The probe is expected to touch down on an ancient 400-kilometre wide plain known in Latin as Sinus Iridum, or The Bay of Rainbows.

[4 IN 1]

And it Landed safely.

[Kerbin Dallas Multipass]

Nice MechJeb landing!

[Ralathon]

It's safely on the surface.

[Tw1]

The presentators could've used some more Kerbal Space Program.

Agreed, a fuel gauge, and some speed and altitude stats would have been nice.

But China has done it! Well done.

Now, I must go get my telescope and binoculars, and go have a look.

[Jenteb07]

Congratulations China!

[czokletmuss]

IT HAS LANDED!

Edited December 14, 2013 by czokletmuss

[Lohan2008]

Edited December 14, 2013 by Lohan2008

[Cesrate]

WHAT? I COMPLETELY MISSED THE LANDING! HOW CAN THEY MAKE THIS IN ADVANCE?

Watching CCTV 1 now, solar panels extended.

[Cesrate]

Uhh, wait for at most another 8 hours to separate the Jade Rabbit, recharging now. 19 minutes since landing. Good work for the 7.5kN variable thrust rocket.

[SirJodelstein]

success! congratulations china!

[Lohan2008]

/giggle

Chinese announcer said "Wover"

[Cesrate]

19.51° w, 44.12° n

[Lohan2008]

any speculation on why Chinese (government) went for early landing? I am SERIOULY impressed how quickly the probe/rover got down.

[lajoswinkler]

Congratiulations to scientists and engineers working on the project!