Video: Chang’E 2 first orbit trim maneuver


“Credit: CNSA / tv.people.com.cn On October 8, 2010, Chang’E 2 fires its main engine to reduce the size of its lunar orbit, as the Moon swings through the field of view in the background. The firing of the engine begins just after the terminator passes out of view (from the camera’s point of view). As the spacecraft drops completely into the lunar shadow, the camera’s automatic exposure setting adjusts brighter, making part of the spacecraft visible in light emitted from the glowing thruster.”