Chang'e 3

Lunar exploration mission operated by the China National Space Administration. Chang'e 3 was launched on December 1, 2013 aboard a Chang Zheng 3B from Xichang. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Dec 2, 2013).

COSPAR 2013-070ANORAD 39458China

Identity

Name in GCAT: Chang'e-3
Common name: Chang'e 3
International designator: 2013-070A
NORAD catalog number: 39458
GCAT identifier: S39458
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/714

Mission

Mission type: Deep space
Use: Civil government
Program: Chang'e
Owner: CASC
Country: China
Builder: Chinese Academy of Space Technology, Beijing (CASC 5th Acad)
Platform (bus): DFH-3

Launch

Date: December 1, 2013 · 17:30 UTC
Launch record: 2013-070Success
Rocket: Chang Zheng 3B
Spaceport: Xichang · pad LC2

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): CLO
Perigee: 210 km
Apogee: 389,019 km
Inclination: 28.50°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: December 2, 2013
Last known active: Jun 11, 2025
End of operations: 2015

Size

Mass: 3,780 kg
Dry mass: 1,200 kg
Length: 2.2 m
Diameter: 1.70 m
Span: 10.0 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00934
Final central body: Luna
Phase start: December 5, 2013
Phase outcome: Entered orbit around the target · December 6, 2013
Destination: Luna

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Dec 2, 2013	Earth	Dec 5, 2013	Escaped to another body	Luna
Dec 6, 2013	Luna	Dec 14, 2013	Landed	Luna
Dec 14, 2013	Luna	—	Stopped transmitting on the surface	Luna

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Luna	Lander (powered landing)	Landed and operated	Dec 14, 2013	Statio Guang Han Gong	44.12, -19.51

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q1061879 (CC0).