The photos show a lunar lava plain called Sinus Iridium (Bay of Rainbows), a proposed destination for China’s first lunar rover in 2013. China also has plans to bring lunar rocks back to Earth in 2017.

Chang’e-2 launched on Oct. 1 and entered an orbit 62 miles above the lunar surface on Oct. 9. To take the pictures, the orbiter swooped to an altitude of just 9 miles. The photos have 100 times higher resolution than those taken by the orbiter’s predecessor, Chang’e-1, in 2007.

“The relaying back of the pictures shows that the Chang’e-2 mission is a success,” said Zhang Jiahao, director of the lunar exploration center under the China National Space Administration, in a press release.

Images: China National Space Administration

See Also:

• First Moon Picture Back from China’s Chang’e Probe
• First Chinese Lunar Mission Lifts Off
• Chinese Moon Photo Not Fake, But Not Pristine
• China Plans Post-Olympics, Live-Broadcast Spacewalk

Authors: Lisa Grossman

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