China To Launch Spaceship Chang'e-4 To Explore The Moon's Dark Side
The State Administration for Science and Technology, China (SASTIND) officially announced the plan to launch the Chang’e 4 probe on the “unexplored†region of the moon in 2018. Liu Jizhong, chief of the lunar exploration center under SASTIND, explained that the far hemisphere of the moon has never been investigated due to the fact that its rear face always remains hidden. Chang’e 4 has been specially customized to explore and uncover the unknown. China launched Chang’e 3, the predecessor of the Chang’e 4 in December 2013, as a part of the second phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration program.
Backside of the moon; captured by NASA
Liu confirmed that the Chang’e-4’s Lander and rover would make a soft landing on the far side of the moon, and would carry out in-place and patrolling surveys. So far, China's multibillion dollar space programme has done a commendable job in litte time, but most of their missions were replications of activities undertaken previously by either the USA or Russia. The Chang’e 3 and 4 mission which are named after a Chinese Goddess, would however provide them a chance to explore something new and strengthen the global perception about China's space exploration prowess.
Chang'e 3 on lunar surface
Liu also confirmed that Beijing has plans for a permanent orbiting station by 2020, and then proceed to send humans on the moon too. He said Chang'e 4 is similar to Chang’e 3, but has been designed to bear more payload. The Chang’e 3 was equipped with a 150 mm (5.9 in) Lunar-based ultraviolet telescope (LUT), Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) camera, Lander cameras and a solar probe.
The new probe has been devised to study the geological conditions of the dark side of the moon. SASTIND also gave a hint that its Chang'e 5 lunar probe would be the last section in China's three-step (orbiting, landing and return) moon exploration program. Chang’e 5 is still under development, and is awaiting its final assembly in Chinese space laboratories.
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Backside of the moon; captured by NASA
Chang'e 3 on lunar surface
The new probe has been devised to study the geological conditions of the dark side of the moon. SASTIND also gave a hint that its Chang'e 5 lunar probe would be the last section in China's three-step (orbiting, landing and return) moon exploration program. Chang’e 5 is still under development, and is awaiting its final assembly in Chinese space laboratories.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#
Replies
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Shashank MogheWonder where they are going with this. Is the moon open for nations/private sector to "explore" as a business opportunity? -
Debasmita BanerjeePretty good thought. Truly speaking, competition never spared an inch of earth. I guess as its used, Moon is the next "cheap" target.
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Shashank MogheI would love to read the word of law as it stands today, on the space treaty.
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