China says Chang'e-4 has met engineering targets

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In another massive achievement in space for China, the nation's latest lunar probe, the Chang'e-4, has met its engineering targets, according to officials.

“It is a new contribution to humanity in the exploration of the universe,” said Vice Premier Liu He who attended a congratulatory ceremony at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Friday.

Footage of Chang'e-4's landing process was also released. Filmed by the cameras on the probe, the footage shows the maneuvers made while the probe searched for ideal locations to land.

There was also a real-time demonstration of the Yutu-2 rover taking a photo of the probe, the first complete image after the spacecraft made a soft-landing on the far side of the Moon.

Liu Jizhong, deputy director of China Lunar Exploration. /VCG Photo

“All the scientific payloads and the transition of data are working well. The success of the mission has laid a very good foundation for the data processing, scientific research and exploration of our next phase of work,” said Liu Jizhong, deputy director of China Lunar Exploration.

Yutu-2 traveled for over 40 meters. Thanks to the relay satellite Queqiao, the communication between the lander and the Earth is possible.

He Jun, deputy director of Beijing Aerospace Control Center. /CGTN Photo

"In order to solve the communication between the Earth and the probe, we designed a halo orbit for the relay satellite, which is vertical to the line between the Earth and the Moon. It could increase the coverage of communication,” said He Jun, deputy director of Beijing Aerospace Control Center.

All eight payloads on board the Chang'e-4 are reported to be in good condition.

Many of them have sent data back to Earth. The rover will continue to explore the lunar surface further away from the lander. The success of Chang'e-4 mission is a milestone in China's lunar exploration effort and another solid step to going further into deep space.

(Top image: A model of the Chang'e-4 lunar probe. /VCG Photo)