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Moon landing 2013 (Chang'e 3)

czokletmuss

By czokletmuss
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czokletmuss

czokletmuss

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So long moon bunny, we hardly knew you. China's lunar rover, Yutu – or Jade Rabbit – was officially declared dead in a terse statement posted on a Chinese state news agency website.

Yutu's troubles began last month, just six weeks into its three-month mission. China's Chang'e-3 lander touched down on the moon on 14 December and released the Yutu rover about 7 hours later. Both machines successfully entered hibernation mode during their first lunar night. On the moon, night lasts for half of each Earthly month and plunges surface temperatures from daytime highs of about 90 °C to below -180 °C.

When the second lunar night rolled around on 25 January the lander went in to hibernation but Yutu appeared to have failed. It is impossible to communicate with the vehicles during lunar night, so mission operators had to wait until the new lunar day this Monday to confirm whether Yutu would respond.

Communication was established with Chang'e-3 but today, the ECNS news agency reported efforts to reactive the rover were unsuccessful. "China's first lunar rover, Yutu, could not be restored to full function on Monday as expected, and netizens mourned it on Weibo, China's Twitter-like service. Yutu experienced mechanical problems on Jan 25 and has been unable to function since then." No other details were given.

Source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25038-chinas-jade-rabbit-rover-pronounced-dead-on-the-moon.html#.UvudD0JdUQY

:(

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czokletmuss

czokletmuss

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Minutes ago:

https://www.facebook.com/ChinaSpace

"Official news: Yutu is still alive! Mission control is busy working on it. Please give more time."

Well, this is good news.

It is? Wow, this is either pure awesomness or ruthless public relations tactic. Either way, it's good that Yutu is still with us :)

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zitronen

zitronen

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Great news but don't get too excite yet, have to wait for more news: http://news.sina.cn/?sa=t124v71d11259677&pos=108&vt=4&wm=4007&clicktime=1392215068111&userid=user13922150681117660958985798061

Rough translation: One key personnel involved in the rescue of the little rabbit excitedly told the journalist "the little rabbit's situation is improving slightly, it is showing some signs of waking up, please wait".

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Kerbin Dallas Multipass

Kerbin Dallas Multipass

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Is it now dead or still (somewhat) alive? Schrödinger's rover, apparently.

All western news sources report that it's "officially pronounced dead", quoting chinese state media.

Maybe It's just terminally damaged, but I guess we can assume with some certainty that it ain't gonna rove no more.

Edited by Kerbin Dallas Multipass
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Kryten

Kryten

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All western news sources report that it's "officially pronounced dead", quoting chinese state media.

And 'chinese state media' say there's still uncertainty. We've had pretty definite reports of radio activity, so something is still working, but other than that we know nothing. It may still have roving capability, it may still have working instruments, or this may just be the robotic equivalent of a death rattle. We just don't know.

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Kerbin Dallas Multipass

Kerbin Dallas Multipass

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And 'chinese state media' say there's still uncertainty. We've had pretty definite reports of radio activity, so something is still working, but other than that we know nothing. It may still have roving capability, it may still have working instruments, or this may just be the robotic equivalent of a death rattle. We just don't know.

Seems you're right.

And thanks for providing us with links ;)

"China's lunar rover "awakes" despite abnormality:spokesman"

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2014-02/13/c_133111283.htm

‘It came back to life’: China’s Jade Rabbit snaps out of mechanical failure, state report says

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1426956/it-came-back-life-chinas-jade-rabbit-snaps-out-mechanical-failure-state

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Camacha

Camacha

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I thought it was quite quick for China to throw in the towel, so I figured there was some type of catastrophic failure. Seems there is still hope.

It is good to be remembered that space is a vicious and unforgiving place though.

I found this funny comment on China Space Facebook page:

It was built in China, I expected all the plastic pieces to break when it landed, then to burst into flames and choke a baby on the moon.

That is not funny, it is predictable and probably a tad racist.

Edited by Camacha
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