The orbiter conducted three times of tests between Friday and Saturday to modulate the speed, height and orbit in a simulative moon sampling mission, according to a statement of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense on Sunday.
Such technologies will possibly be used in the country's next lunar probe mission, Chang'e-5.
The Chang'e-5 probe, expected for launch in 2017, will be tasked with landing on the moon, collecting samples and returning to Earth.
The current lunar orbiter was launched on Oct. 24, 2014. The orbiter's return capsule returned to Earth in November after circling the moon during an eight-day mission, while the service module continues its moon flight to carry out some preset scientific tasks.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
