The Chinese Chang’e 3 lunar lander has completed the first major leg of its journey to the Moon by successfully inserting itself into a lunar orbit on Friday. China’s first lunar lander & rover will now spend about nine days in orbit before starting their adventurous descent to the Moon’s surface that is planned for December 14, 2013. Image: CCTV/CNTV
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 501 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Friday at 7:14 UTC carrying the classified NROL-39 satellite to orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office. Also on board were 12 small CubeSats for release after the primary mission of the launcher was complete.
(United Launch Alliance)
