China On Track To Send Satellite To The Moon

[zavvy]

<b>China On Track To Send Satellite To The Moon</b><br /><br />LINK<br /><br />China is on track to launch its first scientific satellite to orbit the Moon in 2007, according to the country’s official news agency Xinhua. The orbiter will pave the way for future lunar missions and is just part of China's ambitious, if secretive, space programme.<br /><br />Various designs for the spacecraft have been completed and one or two will begin development in September, the mission's chief designer, Ye Peijian of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, told a space technology conference in Beijing this week.<br /><br />The mission, called Chang'e-I after the Chinese Moon goddess Chang'e, will map the Moon in 3D, helping to identify safe landing spots for future missions. It will study the Moon's composition and radiation environment and may use radar to probe below its surface.<br /><br />Dean Cheng, senior Asia analyst at the non-profit think tank CNA Corporation in Alexandria, Virginia, US, says a "huge part" of this mission, and the Chinese space programme in general, is prestige. But it will also help the country develop technologically. <br /><br />"Some of the satellite’s capabilities are not world-class," he says. "So if you put something into lunar orbit that is going to operate long enough to give you a useful amount of data, it requires you to push the envelope to produce more efficient solar panels."<br /><br />Robotic rover<br />After the lunar orbiter mission, some media reports suggest China will launch a lander to the surface of the Moon by 2010 and a robotic rover to return samples from the mission by 2020. But Cheng does not put much faith in those dates. He says China tends to operate its space programme according to five-year plans, and the next plan begins in 2006. <br /><br />"The Chinese are generally reticent about putting out specific dates because it puts them in the posi

 

[grooble]

Well China will dominate human spaceflight eventually. I guess it is their birthright, being the largest population in the world.

 

[gpurcell]

Um, well, except that INDIA will have the largest population in 10-15 years....

 

[grooble]

Well chinese & indian take aways will be big business out there in space.

 

[zavvy]

I'd buy a nice Vindaloo if it were available in space..<br /><br />Some Moo Goo Gai Pan too..

 

[grooble]

Yes, in big neon lights *Welcome to Sanjays Tandoori Supreme Restaurant. The pride of India*

 

[mrmorris]

<font color="yellow">"...a nice Vindaloo..."</font><br /><br />Hmmm...<br />Are you conversant with the nature of zero-G waste management facilities? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[grooble]

Imagine getting the runs in zero g?

 

[zavvy]

Ooh.. Delhi Belly on the Moon..<br /><br />Hadn't thought of that...