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China's first Lunar lander to launch next month.

baggywrinkle

By baggywrinkle
in The Astro Lounge

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baggywrinkle

baggywrinkle

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Posted

From the Shanghai Daily: So long as they can fire it through the murk.....

China to launch lunar probe next month, first moon rover named "Yutu"

Source: Xinhua | November 26, 2013, Tuesday | icon_OE.pngOnline Edition

CHINA is scheduled to launch Chang'e-3 lunar probe in early December, a spokesman with State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) said today.

The lunar probe will land on the moon in mid-December if everything is successful, said SASTIND spokesman Wu Zhijian.

Chang'e-3, encompassing a lander and a moon rover, will mark the first time for a Chinese spacecraft to soft-land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.

The Chang'e-3 mission is the second phase of China's lunar program, which includes orbiting, landing and returning to Earth.

China has named its first moon rover "Yutu", or jade rabbit, following an online poll seeking name proposals from the Chinese worldwide.

In Chinese folklore, Yutu is the white pet rabbit of Chang'e, who has been worshipped as the moon goddess in China for thousands of years and whose name is used for the country's lunar probe program.

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Steve Ward

Steve Ward

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Good to hear that they're still on schedule ....  :laugh:

It'll be good to see them continue and a manned Lunar return will be nice to follow , if only to clear the web of the disbelievers ...  :rolleyes:

PS.   Rather you than me in that disgusting looking place.

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MrFinster

MrFinster

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During the Apollo 11 mission, as part of less serious conversations between Houston and the crew, the rabbit in the moon legend was mentioned.


Houston   : Among the large headlines concerning Apollo this morning, there's one asking that you watch for a lovely girl with a big rabbit. An ancient legend says a beautiful Chinese girl called Chang-o has been living there for 4000 years. It seems she was banished to the Moon because she stole the pill of immortality from her husband. You might also look for her companion, a large Chinese rabbit, who is easy to spot since he is always standing on his hind feet in the shade of a cinnamon tree. The name of the rabbit is not reported.

Buzz Aldrin:  Okay, we'll keep an eye out for the bunny girl.

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Swedeman2013

Swedeman2013

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After six lunar landings decades ago it seems doubtful the U.S is too intimidated by the prospect of China's endeavour. Seems like a fairy tale to think China's agenda is lunar mining! Seems more like P.R, however more space travel ( by any nation) should be welcome news.

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JamesF

JamesF

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(re conspiracy theories)

But let's not go there, otherwise tempers will fray and the thread will get locked.  I'd far rather hear what people think is the long-term goal of the Chinese in going to the Moon, if they might make a manned flight and how others (the USA and Russia particularly I guess) will react, especially if it looks like there might be a profit to be had.

James

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