Yesterday, the Chinese Space Administration presented the first photos of the Rainbow-bay, from their new lunar orbiter Chang'e-2.

The image sows a 8 x 15,9km portoon of the craterfloor in the Rainbow-bay (Sinus Iridum). The pictures were taken from a very low orbit of only 18km above the Lunar surface

The Chang'e-2 probe was launched on Oct 1 and went into a 100km orbit around the Moon 8 days later. It then dropped into orbit about 15 km above the lunar surface and after taking the images it will return to a 100-km orbit to conduct a study of the lunar surface.

"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.

The purpose of the Chang'e-2 is to test lunar landing technologies and to recon for the Lunar lander, to be launched in 2013.

Source: Peoplesdaily