It'll be a sad day for the world and the US if they succeed....

Why China is interested in the moon

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It'll be a sad day for the world and the US if they succeed....

Why China is interested in the moon

BBC News

China space: 'Jade Rabbit' lunar mission blasts off

I agree with Sirius B, It'll be a sad day for the world and the US if they succeed....

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Well, if some of the popular Sci Fi writers are correct China will end up with the largest space program and will most likely put the first colonists on the moon and probably Mars. We (the USA and other western powers) had our chance but lost the nerve to take the risks necessary to keep the lead in manned space exploration.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

To manage a rover on the Moon is not that difficult. It is much difficult to do it on Mars and the USA has 2 rovers (Opportunity and Curiosity). Let the Chinese do it too, if they can.
Tullio

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Perhaps I am in a minority but I hope things go well for the Chinese space programme.

The long term survival of the human race depends on us getting off this planet (all the eggs in one basket, as it were) and anyone who comes along who can push the edges of the technological envelope towards making this happen get's my support.

Like it or not China is the second biggest economy in the world and will likely soon have the largest. Although their reasons for doing so are probably suspect, the end result is that they are using some of the piles of money for something that has much long range potential.

And before we look too closely at the reasons for their fascination with space, let's remember that the Apollo/moon programme was basically Kennedy shoving a huge pile of poker chips into the center of the table and daring the Russians to match it. Hardly a honourable motive but one that had amazing results.

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The US could do with another Kennedyesque Leader, unfortunately, Obama isn't one.

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Perhaps I am in a minority but I hope things go well for the Chinese space programme.

The long term survival of the human race depends on us getting off this planet (all the eggs in one basket, as it were) and anyone who comes along who can push the edges of the technological envelope towards making this happen get's my support.

Like it or not China is the second biggest economy in the world and will likely soon have the largest. Although their reasons for doing so are probably suspect, the end result is that they are using some of the piles of money for something that has much long range potential.

And before we look too closely at the reasons for their fascination with space, let's remember that the Apollo/moon programme was basically Kennedy shoving a huge pile of poker chips into the center of the table and daring the Russians to match it. Hardly a honourable motive but one that had amazing results.

I agree 100% if they can do it all well and good, it just might make the USA/Europe sit up and take notice.

All power to them if they can land a man on the moon!

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update...

After sending 12 humans to the moon's surface during the Apollo Program, NASA remains committed to lunar science. Building on modern missions such as Clementine and Lunar Prospector and recent missions like LCROSS and GRAIL, NASA science has helped to map the moon, determine the presence of water ice, and understand our satellite's irregular gravity field. NASA's current missions to the moon are helping the agency understand our solar system better, informing future exploration efforts to other planetary bodies, and bringing us closer to the technologies we'll need to explore future destinations like an asteroid and Mars.

http://www.nasa.gov/content/chinas-lunar-lander-may-provide-additional-science-for-nasa-spacecraft/index.html#.UquV6ifTDSc

China's Lunar Lander May Provide Additional Science for NASA Spacecraft

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China's Chang'e 3 lunar lander is currently orbiting the moon with its solar panels and landing legs deployed. If all goes well, the lander — which is carrying China's first robotic rover — for a planned soft-landing on Saturday, Dec. 14, Beijing Time at Sinus Iridum, also known the Bay of Rainbows.


http://www.space.com/23938-china-moon-rover-landing-lunar-prospecting.html?cmpid=514630_20131214_15748454

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

It has landed successfully.....

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The Kite Fliers

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Kite fliers: An imaginary club of solo members, those who don't yet
belong to a formal team so "fly their own kites" - as the saying goes.

Can watch most of it live on CN-TV

http://english.cntv.cn/live/p2p/index.shtml

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The Kite Fliers

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Kite fliers: An imaginary club of solo members, those who don't yet
belong to a formal team so "fly their own kites" - as the saying goes.

I -- and, pbly. others -- have written to the Planetary Society, in the
past, that the USA and other "Western" nations should do a joint venture
on the moon, with China, and use a lunar base for scientific and manufacturing
reasons.

From there, we can all head for Mars, on spacecraft built on the Moon, and
not on Earth.

If history repeats itself, the Chinese efforts will spur another race for
both the Moon, and Mars. Now, all we need to do is to elect another
president with JFK's vision.

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There is no need to go down a potential well such as the Moon to go to Mars. Any vehicle bound to Mars should be assembled in a low Earth orbit. then sent to a Lagrange point and from there in a low energy trajectory to Mars. But in what time? That is the question.
Tullio

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I've read of a clever method of shooting material into lunar orbit/more
distant destinations, involving an electro-magnetic "slingshot".

The experience gained by at least a limited colonization of the (dusty)
moon, should be applicable to Mars. . . and, a lot closer, if anything
should go wrong.

One thing, for sure -- if any non-USA country should set up shop on
the moon, we'll be relatively close by, to keep an eye on it.

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Moon missions will, in my opinion, return to the forefront of manned space planning. NASA and ESA medical experts are worried about radiation exposure and it's potential harm to humans on long term deep space flights. The moon is only two days away and either radiation shielded habitats or caves deep enough to provide protection can be used in a short time.

It is just not practical at this time to construct manned space craft that are capable of protecting their occupants during long term deep space missions. This also goes for manned missions to asteroids as well as any Mars mission. Whatever the final solution for radiation shielding is it will be cheaper in the long run to build it on the moon and send missions from there than to build assemblies on earth and launch them into orbit before a trip to Mars. That is assuming someone has a working manned complex on the moon.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

I was talking, just this evening, with a gentleman (MD) who has done
research on the effects of weightlessness on astronauts. Even with
exercise regimens, they all, eventually, showed symptoms of congestive heart
failure -- even though their hearts/circulatory systems were healthy.

His commets further convinced me that a rotating space station, with its
artificial gravity, and radiation protection (in certain areas, at least),
would be the safest approach. Hence, a trip to Mars might well be thought
of as being not just for quick political gain, but a long-term project, with
actual colonization, in mind; i.e., go for broke, on the first try.
The odds, should, actually, be quite favorable. In fact, a provision
could be added, that -- for those astronauts, anyway -- it could amount
to a one-way trip, if all went well.

The cost would be much larger than a smaller, more conventional spacecraft,
and so might well have to be the realization of a multi-national effort.

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NASA Moon Probe Eyeing Chinese Lunar Lander from Orbit

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

I realize that NASA's budget has been cut severely but they are still kicking butt. Along with our private industries taking off quickly and so many of them, I believe the US can maintain leadership.

I read daily on all that is going on in the US. Pretty exciting considering a low budget. I am amazed of all the misinformed people that say our space program is dead. The US (NASA and private companies) doing some amazing things.

Mike

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There is an enterprise called Mars One which collects volunteers for a one way trip to Mars. They have recruited 1058 volunteers, which will be whittled down to 24, but I believe they will end on a reality show on TV rather than on Mars. But also ESA and ROSCOSMOS are simulating Mars trips with volunteers, I hope more seriously.
Tullio

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China Moon Mission, why so secret??
Not on comment from them.

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