[ad_1]
For the first time in history, a moving probe is active on the hidden side of the Moon.
At 10 h 22 min. On Thursday, at Beijing time (3), the Chinese rover Jade Rabbit 2 touched the surface of the moon after slowly slipping along a mat that was pbading through the Chang's landing module. transmitted by the state broadcaster CCTV and retransmitted by from the Associated Press .
The rover landed on the moon about 10 hours after the landing of the spacecraft Chang & # 39; e 4 [19659003] It is the first time in the history that 's. a moving probe is active on the far side of the moon – a major achievement for the National Space Administration of China (CNSA) and for the country's space program
It's a small step for the rover but a giant step for the Chinese nation, "Wu Weiren, chief designer of the lunar exploration project, told CCTV." This giant leap is a decisive step for our exploration of space and space. for the conquest of the universe. "
The speech may seem ambitious, but the actual meaning of the utterance may be misinterpreted in translation. In" conquering "the universe, Wu emphasizes probably the growing dominance of humanity over nature, and not a project of establishing a galactic empire.
A ph otograph taken by the LG Chang & # 39; e 4 shows the rover on the lunar surface with a pair of trails marks behind it.
Right in front of us, there is a hole, which seems to be a crater.
This image, along with other taken soon after landing, are the first close-up photos of the so-called dark side of the Moon – facing the Earth, since the natural satellite has a synchronized rotation with our planet. It is not as correct to say "dark side" of the moon because the sun's rays also reach the region.
A photo of the lunar surface taken shortly after the landing. Image: National Space Administration of China / Xinhua News Agency via AP
Each of the six wheels of the rover is propelled independently. This allows the Jade Rabbit 2 to keep moving even if one or more wheels break abruptly, as shown in the AP report.
The rover can overcome obstacles of a maximum height of 20 centimeters and climb hills with a maximum height of 20 degrees. .
In 2013, China brought the Yutu Rover, or Jade Rabbit 1, to the visible side of the Moon as part of the Chang'3 mission. It was the first soft landing of A probe on the Moon since the Soviet Lunokhod 2 mission in 1973. However, the Yutu rover lost its ability to move after two lunar nights.
At the same time as the landing of Chang & # 39; e 4, Jade Rabbit 2 will collect scientific data to help researchers study the initial conditions of the solar system, to search for the potential presence of ice, to study the relationship between solar winds and the moon's surface and to learn more about the growth of low-gravity plants, among other scientific goals, according to CNN .
Another legal aspect of this mission, as AP points out, is that the CNSA used an innovative technology in which the spacecraft Chang & # 39; e 4 scans on the surface of the Moon before d & # 39; To land, choosing the safest location.
In addition to collecting valuable scientific data, China also wishes to thank and develop the technologies needed for a human mission on the Moon.
Beijing has already announced plans to build a base on the lunar surface. In fact, China is beginning to badert itself as a nation with space capacity and is rapidly reaching the United States, Russia and the European Union.
Personally, I find that it is great that other countries have entered the space race, and if this inspires other countries to keep pace and develop new technologies, better yet. Sometimes a little competition is a good thing, as long as it is channeled in the right direction.
[AP]
More:
• China Creates History and Landings Hidden Side of the Moon
Source link
