Abstract: Chang’E-2 (CE-2) was intended to test a new direct lunar entry orbit, and to test and verify key technologies related to soft landing on the Moon. CE-2 obtained 7 m resolution image map of the whole lunar surface and high resolution (1 m/pix) images of Sinus Iridum, the future landing site of Chang’E-3. CE-2 monitored solar activity at the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrangian point, and flew by asteroid 4179 Toutatis 7 000 000 km away from Earth. At a minimum rendezvous distance less than 1 km, CE-2 obtained high resolution images (10 m/pix) of Toutatis showing its shape, size, and surface structures. Currently CE-2 is 65 000 000 km away from the Earth that became a manmade small body orbiting the Sun.

Key words: Chang’E-2, forerunner satellite, Earth-Sun L2 Lagrangian point, asteroid 4179 Toutatis