# Chang'e 5-T1

> Chinese lunar orbiter

**Wikidata**: [Q18328127](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18328127)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang'e_5-T1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chang-e-5-t1

## Summary
Chang'e 5-T1 is a Chinese lunar orbiter spacecraft that served as a test mission for Chang'e 5, China's lunar sample return mission. It was launched on October 23, 2014, to test technologies for a future lunar sample return mission, including re-entry and return capabilities.

## Key Facts
- Chang'e 5-T1 is a Chinese lunar orbiter spacecraft that launched on October 23, 2014, at 18:00:04 UTC.
- It was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 3C rocket (Y12 variant).
- The spacecraft is part of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program and serves as a test mission for Chang'e 5.
- It has COSPAR ID 2014-065A and is also known by aliases such as Chang'e 5 Test Vehicle and Chang'e 5 Flight Test Device.
- Chang'e 5-T1 was preceded by Chang'e 3, a lunar exploration mission operated by the China National Space Administration.
- The spacecraft is named after Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Chang'e 5-T1?
A: Chang'e 5-T1 was a test mission designed to verify technologies for China's future lunar sample return missions, particularly testing the re-entry and return capabilities required for bringing lunar samples back to Earth.

### Q: When and where was Chang'e 5-T1 launched?
A: Chang'e 5-T1 was launched on October 23, 2014, at 18:00:04 UTC from Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3C rocket.

### Q: How does Chang'e 5-T1 relate to other Chinese lunar missions?
A: Chang'e 5-T1 is part of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program and served as a precursor to Chang'e 5. It was preceded by Chang'e 3, which was a lunar exploration mission also operated by the China National Space Administration.

## Why It Matters
Chang'e 5-T1 represents a critical step in China's lunar exploration program, specifically addressing the technical challenges of lunar sample return. By testing re-entry and return capabilities in lunar orbit, this mission provided essential data for the successful Chang'e 5 mission, which later achieved China's first lunar sample return in 2020. The mission demonstrated China's advancing space technology capabilities and paved the way for more complex lunar exploration activities, including potentially crewed missions. As part of China's growing presence in space exploration, Chang'e 5-T1 contributed to the global understanding of lunar return technology and expanded humanity's technical capabilities in space.

## Notable For
- Successfully testing re-entry and return technologies for lunar sample retrieval, a critical precursor to Chang'e 5's later lunar sample return mission
- Being launched aboard a Long March 3C rocket, showcasing China's launch capabilities for lunar missions
- Operating under the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program as an important technology demonstration mission
- Having multiple alternative names including "Chang'e 5 Test Vehicle", "Chang'e 5 Flight Test Device", and various Chinese names
- Being specifically designed to validate the trajectory and heat shield technology needed for returning lunar samples to Earth

## Body
### Mission Overview
Chang'e 5-T1 was a lunar orbiter spacecraft that served as a test mission for China's future lunar sample return program. It was launched on October 23, 2014, at 18:00:04 UTC from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The mission was part of the broader Chinese Lunar Exploration Program and specifically designed to test technologies for Chang'e 5, which would later become China's first lunar sample return mission.

### Technical Specifications
- Classification: Lunar orbiter
- Launch Vehicle: Long March 3C (Y12 variant)
- Launch Date: October 23, 2014, at 18:00:04 UTC
- Launch Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center
- COSPAR ID: 2014-065A
- Named After: Chang'e (Chinese moon goddess)

### Mission Objectives
Chang'e 5-T1 primarily focused on testing the re-entry and return capabilities needed for lunar sample retrieval. The mission verified the spacecraft's ability to return from lunar orbit to Earth, including:
- Testing the heat shield technology for high-speed atmospheric re-entry
- Validating the return trajectory from lunar orbit to Earth
- Demonstrating the separation and landing of the return capsule
- Collecting engineering data for the design of Chang'e 5

### Relationship to Other Missions
Chang'e 5-T1 was preceded by Chang'e 3, which was a lunar exploration mission operated by the China National Space Administration. The success of Chang'e 5-T1's technology demonstrations directly contributed to the later success of Chang'e 5, which achieved China's first lunar sample return in December 2020.

### Alternative Names
Chang'e 5-T1 is known by several alternative names:
- Chang'e 5 Test Vehicle
- Chang'e 5 Flight Test Device
- 探月工程三期再入返回飞行试验器 (Chinese for "Lunar Exploration Program Phase III Re-entry Return Flight Test Vehicle")
- 嫦娥五号T1飞行试验器
- 嫦娥五号再入返回飞行试验器
- 嫦娥五号探路星 (Pathfinder Star)
- 嫦娥五号先导星 (Pioneer Star)
- 嫦娥5T (abbreviated form)
- 舞娣 (Chinese nickname)
- 小飞 (Chinese nickname)

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report