China unveils Moon probe images

[Praxius]

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | China unveils Moon probe images

China has revealed the first pictures of the Moon captured by the unmanned module it launched a month ago. The images from the Chang'e I probe were hailed as a milestone in Chinese space exploration, after the success of satellites and manned space flights. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said the mission showed China was "fully able to stand tall among the world's ranks of advanced nations". The probe is expected to orbit the Moon for a year scanning its entire surface. The new image, pieced together from 19 different pictures of the Moon's surface, was unveiled by Mr Wen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre (BACC). He said the mission was helping to realise China's ancient dream of reaching the moon. "The Chinese people have the will, confidence and ability to constantly compose fine new chapters as we scale the peaks of modern science and technology," he said. Asian 'space race' In 2003 China became only the third country to send a human into space. But Sun Laiyan, head of the China National Space Administration, told a news conference that China has no immediate plans to land a man on the moon. "I've heard of foreign reports which say China will put a man on the moon by 2020, but I don't know of such a plan," he said. "Please don't give us any more pressure. But I'm confident one day we'll put an astronaut on the moon." Some analysts have said there is an undeclared space race in Asia, with Japan and India also investing heavily in space research and travel. Earlier this year China triggered international concern by destroying a weather satellite as part of a weapons test. But China has insisted it wants to work with other countries on peaceful space exploration.

Congrats to them, It'll be interesting what their own developments bring us in technology and understanding.

[Rainbow]

What is that so significant ? that China reached Moon, finally ?
I bet it is lithium 3, for energy purposes.

[Praxius]

Why is it so important? Because possibly because nobody else has bothered to check on the moon in a couple of decades now besides the old skool Soviet/US space race.

I feel that perhaps they found there could be some benifits to the Moon which perhaps those in NASA gave up on, or don't see....

I'm just interested to see if their studies and results match up to existing reports and studies.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Praxius Why is it so important? Because possibly because nobody else has bothered to check on the moon in a couple of decades now besides the old skool Soviet/US space race. I feel that perhaps they found there could be some benifits to the Moon which perhaps those in NASA gave up on, or don't see.... I'm just interested to see if their studies and results match up to existing reports and studies.

Within 10-15 years, U.S. is going to establish lunar bases on Moon, and explore her, since Lithium3 is more precious than any oil.

[Praxius]

I thought you guys were supposed to be settling the moon in the 80's-early 90's? I remember growing up hearing them say on TV "In 10-15 years.... in another 10-15 years"

I think NASA just doesn't have enough resources to tackle the moon as well as the space station.

[Praxius]

Which also reminds me, they claim they will be scanning and taking a shot of every part of the moon of the next little while... I wonder if they'll see where the original landings are and what they look like now?

[Rainbow]

Yes, that is true that U.S. felt a little too comfortable with its top position. Additionally, NASA gave up some projects.

However, George (Bush) has already assigned enough funds for scientific research in order to support that project.
Guys have appx.10 years to materialize that project along with the initial process with installing the main orbital station in space, to be served for stocking purposes.
Then, a shuttle (from Earth) would go to that station and stores required materials. Astronauts pick that up and head to Moon to start establishing new lunar bases.

[Century 25]

Quote by: Praxius I thought you guys were supposed to be settling the moon in the 80's-early 90's? I remember growing up hearing them say on TV "In 10-15 years.... in another 10-15 years" I think NASA just doesn't have enough resources to tackle the moon as well as the space station.

It wasn't NASA.. it was the same syndicate entrenched in power as we have today. The mega-corporations have no desire financing explorations of any kind.. that is of course unless they can make enough profit. I've learned enough history to see the theme that runs through our short history as a nation. It never changes. It is insatiable greed.

I can understand why the in crowd bumped off Pres' Lincoln & Kennedy, plus JFK's bro & MLK.

Here is what our country threw away under Nixon's term: Google Moon

And.. as for space stations.. we had quite a good one started & also trashed by the same bunch: Google Image Result for http://icb.nasa.gov/2003_Annual_Report/skylab_II.jpg

Skylab was the world's first space station.. it looks like it could have been roomy & a great beginning for add-ons.

[B1NKS]

Century25, you should understand that in the wake of the expensive and unpopular Vietnam War, Congress also cut funds for the space program, which was also perceived as expensive and unnecessary. Part of the rationale for the Space Shuttle program was to maintain supremacy in the space race at a much lower cost.

Nonetheless, we have been contributing heavily to the ISS, and have been accelerating our efforts recently. NASA should always be well-funded, though I'm not sure that repeatedly landing on the moon is the best use of those funds.