China sent a rover to the moon

Yes, do not have time to Indian satellite of Mars from orbit Earth to go to Mars , as there is another interesting news - Today, China launched to the Moon apparatus "Chang'e-3", with a very interesting cargo - Chinese Lunokhod. Start "Chang'e-3" was a success, so now we can expect the arrival of the Chinese lunar rover "Yutu" (which means "Jade Hare") to the moon as early as mid-December.

According to Chinese experts, "bunny" will study the moon's surface, as well as the geological structure of our satellite (all this is necessary not only as a purely scientific purpose, but also to search for possible useful for mankind lunar resources). To China rovers launched only the USSR and the USA, so if all goes well, China will enter the top three is not just space, and "moon" powers. Among other things, this is the first launch of lunar rover in the 21st century.

Chinese experts say that a soft landing "Jade Hare" - the most difficult part of the mission. Also, the Chinese claim that about 80% of the machine and the technology used to create it, created from scratch.

As for the "Chang'e 1" and "Chang'e-2", these devices work on the lunar orbit, making satellite photos. The first unit is sent to the ground 1, 37 terabytes of data, and after the completion of his mission, was laid out on the surface of the Moon (also with a scientific purpose, by the way). The second unit is now 60 million miles from Earth, going farther (simultaneously studying outer space).

It is worth noting that several Americans previously stated that the Chinese engine exhaust may interfere with the study of the lunar "atmosphere" as the American machine LADEE.

Traditionally, the Chinese said that the lunar rover, and the entire Chinese lunar program created not as a competitor to the space programs of other countries.

Via xinhuanet

Source: habrahabr.ru/post/204396/