FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

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China’s Chang’e-4 Relay Satellite Has Reached Its ‘Halo Orbit’

June 15, 2018 (EIRNS)—The Chang’e-4 relay satellite, which was launched on May 20, reached its halo orbit, 60,000 km past the Moon yesterday, the China National Space Administration reported. From this stable position, where the gravitational force of the Moon and the Earth cancel each other, a region of gravitational equilibrium is created. From there, the satellite will be able to relay communications between the lander and rover on the surface of the far side of the Moon, and Mission Control on Earth. Its first important job will be to observe and report back to Mission Control on the landing of the Chang’e-4 lander, which engineers on the ground would not otherwise be able to see. The lander is expected to be launched at the end of this year.