First pics from Chinese Moon rover Yutu

The Chinese lunar probe Chang’e-3 has successfully touched down on the Moon in the Sinus Iridum crater (also known as the Bay of Rainbows) and its rover Yutu (Jade Rabbit) has sent back its first pictures of the surface of the Moon.

The lunar probe began its soft-landing maneuvers at 9pm Saturday (Beijing time) and touched down 11 minutes later, according to Beijing Aerospace Control Center. The probe began decelerating 11 miles above the moon, stayed hovering at 300 feet from the lunar surface while its sensors assessed the landing area to avoid obstacles, and then descended slowly to the surface. China is only the third country, after the United States and the Soviet Union, to soft-land on the moon.

The Yutu rover is equipped with a solar panel to power it during the lunar day on its three month mission. During this time, it will explore a two square mile area. It carries four instruments: a video/still camera; ground penetrating radar, visual/infrared spectrometer, and alpha particle/X-Ray spectrometer.

Chinese space scientists say the mission is designed to test new technologies, gather scientific data and build intellectual expertise. It will also scout valuable mineral resources on the Moon that could one day be mined. “China’s lunar program is an important component of mankind’s activities to explore [the] peaceful use of space,” Sun Huixian, a space engineer with the Chinese lunar program, told news agency Xinhua.

Related:
Discuss this article in our forum
Boffins ponder moon-water formation
Solar flares “sandblasting” the Moon
Europa report: moon’s ocean currents make life possible
Human sleep influenced by Moon

Source: Xinhua

, , ,

Comments are closed.

Starbucks 2023 China Summer Flower Field Used Card picture

Starbucks 2023 China Summer Flower Field Used Card

$6.99



2023 China Starbucks Anniversary Tumbler 24oz Pink Gradient Fish Scale Cup picture

2023 China Starbucks Anniversary Tumbler 24oz Pink Gradient Fish Scale Cup

$21.99



100pcs/lot 11.81in Fireworks Wire  Connecting Wire for Fireworks firing system picture

100pcs/lot 11.81in Fireworks Wire Connecting Wire for Fireworks firing system

$29.65



Pokemon Enamel Pins Lot You Choose From Over 200 Varieties Flat Rate Shipping picture

Pokemon Enamel Pins Lot You Choose From Over 200 Varieties Flat Rate Shipping

$3.99



Starbucks 2023 China White Cloud Topper Blue Ombre Siren 19oz Glass Straw Cup picture

Starbucks 2023 China White Cloud Topper Blue Ombre Siren 19oz Glass Straw Cup

$46.49



9

9" Pink Recycler Glass Bong 14mm Bowl Water Pipes Hookah

$14.99



Starbucks China 2022 Anniversary Ocean Siren Mermaid 20oz Glass Cup Tumbler picture

Starbucks China 2022 Anniversary Ocean Siren Mermaid 20oz Glass Cup Tumbler

$23.99



25+pcs A lot of quartz crystal pieces rough original points Wand Specimen A8562 picture

25+pcs A lot of quartz crystal pieces rough original points Wand Specimen A8562

$6.63



New 2022 Starbucks China Sakura Pink Glitter Studded Cold Cup Tumbler 24oz picture

New 2022 Starbucks China Sakura Pink Glitter Studded Cold Cup Tumbler 24oz

$26.99



Ship From USA 24 Cues fireworks firing system 500M ABS remote Waterproof Case picture

Ship From USA 24 Cues fireworks firing system 500M ABS remote Waterproof Case

$119.15



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes