China 2007
Chang’e 1
China’s own lunar orbiter, Chang’e 1, is shown on this stamp released at the end of 2007. It was initially placed
in an elliptical orbit over the Moon’s poles that was circularized in two steps.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue number:
to come
China also released this commemorative sheet depicting the probe’s trajectory around the Earth and Moon. As the illustration shows, Chang’e was launched into an elliptical orbit around the Earth that was raised twice
before it was sent off to the Moon. When it reached the Moon, its initially
elliptical orbit was circularized in two steps.
The circular design on the individual stamps represents four divine birds flying
around the Sun, and is the symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue number:
to come