The first orbital correction for China's lunar probe Chang'e-1 is expected to carry out on Friday morning, according to the moon exploration team.
The move, which was planned to be conducted on Thursday, was canceled as the probe was traveling on the expected trajectory in an "unexpected precisely" way after it left the earth orbit late Wednesday, said Wang Yejun, chief engineer of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).
"BACC will issue instructions to Chang'e-1 to ignite two small engines on board Friday and slightly modulate its trajectory, in a bid to guarantee that the satellite travels on the pre-set orbit," Wang said.
A second orbital correction might be carried out Sunday, he said.
China successfully launched the Chang'e-1, named after a mythical Chinese goddess who, according to legend, flew to the moon, on Oct. 24. The probe entered the earth-moon transfer orbit and began to fly to the moon in a real sense after completing the fourth orbital transfer on Wednesday.
It is expected to reach the moon's orbit at 11:25 a.m. Monday.
Source:Xinhua
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