China's first lunar probe crashes into the moon

02.03.2009
China's first lunar probe made a planned crash into the moon Sunday, completing the first phase of a lunar program partly meant to solidify Beijing’s status as a space power.

The planned crash by Chang’e I was an exercise paving the way for a "soft landing" by a future Chinese satellite, the China National Space Administration said in a statement on its Web site.

 

The probe, named after a Chinese moon goddess and launched in 2007, collected data including China’s first full lunar map as technicians practiced sending it between orbit levels, the statement said, citing the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

 

The event follows China's first space walk last year. An astronaut waved a Chinese flag live on national television during the event.