Proto chinese manned moon rover

[xenomorph555]

China just unveiled a prototype manned moon rover, I think the are trying to send some kind of message...

As for specs, it holds 2 astronauts, also holds tools/cargo, made out of very strong, light materials, can fold up. Thats what they have released so far.

[vger]

...trying to send some kind of a message?

[ZedNova]

Awesome, someone's got to explore space. Might as well be china.

[xenomorph555]

...trying to send some kind of a message?

They wouldn't spend money making it if they weren't going to use it, or maybe they are trying to distract us from some other project, battlestar Khrushchev remake anyone?

[maccollo]

Source? .

[xenomorph555]

http://www.ecns.cn/cns-wire/2014/04-10/108851.shtml

https://www.facebook.com/ChinaSpace

[NeoMorph]

I do so hope this triggers another Space Race.

[vger]

If a Space Race does happen, I rather doubt the U.S. will even think about getting involved. These days, the government seems pretty content in letting the rest of the world out-perform in every other way, and NASA hasn't exactly been rolling in the dough lately.

[xenomorph555]

Maybe China vs Russia, india is too far behind as well as esa.

[astropapi1]

Source? .

https://www.facebook.com/ChinaSpace

Useless text blah blah blah

[xenomorph555]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=703924056335265&set=a.703923886335282.1073741927.237730352954640&type=1&theater

[maccollo]

If a Space Race does happen, I rather doubt the U.S. will even think about getting involved. These days, the government seems pretty content in letting the rest of the world out-perform in every other way, and NASA hasn't exactly been rolling in the dough lately.

If China does something high profile in space that exceeds the capability of the US I bet it's gonna light a fire under the asses of the politicians.

Unlike public transportation and internet connectivity, space flight is a very symbolic display of technological prowess. The US has a pretty antagonistic view of China that extends to the space program, and politicians are generally very good at being reactionary.

*edit

From ECNS: "In fact, these frames are made of hi-tech materials which are light and unbreakable"

Anyone wanna guess what it might be?

I'm gonna say it's probably just aluminium.

Edited April 12, 2014 by maccollo

[mdatspace]

If China does something high profile in space that exceeds the capability of the US I bet it's gonna light a fire under the asses of the politicians.

Unlike public transportation and internet connectivity, space flight is a very symbolic display of technological prowess. The US has a pretty antagonistic view of China that extends to the space program, and politicians are generally very good at being reactionary.

*edit

From ECNS: "In fact, these frames are made of hi-tech materials which are light and unbreakable"

Anyone wanna guess what it might be?

I'm gonna say it's probably just aluminium.

The politicians will be shocked into acting if China does so. But the chances of that happening is small. While China did spark some space policy debate after Yutu, I think it is not going to beat us yet. China is making steady progress in space, of course. That is better than us.

[deadshot462]

Anyone else think it's funny they have the Apollo landing site picture as the background with a photo-shopped Earth?

[vger]

Anyone else think it's funny they have the Apollo landing site picture as the background with a photo-shopped Earth?

Wouldn't be the first time China took something from NASA...

[NovaSilisko]

image

So, uhh... do they just push it or something? Or maybe operate it Fred Flintstone style?

[xenomorph555]

Wouldn't be the first time China took something from NASA...

Like what?

[Seret]

They wouldn't spend money making it if they weren't going to use it, or maybe they are trying to distract us from some other project, battlestar Khrushchev remake anyone?

Well, yes. Manned moon landings have always been on their long term plan.

[Ravenchant]

It would be interesting to see how the final design will turn out. After they add some little details like power source, comms, telemetry, instruments etc.

On a related note, I always wondered how a recumbent quad would do on the Moon

[Red Fang]

Ravenchat's post got me thinking. It seems that additional life support for EVA suits would not be a bad idea if overall weight would not be an issue.

[R0cketC0der]

They wouldn't spend money making it if they weren't going to use it, or maybe they are trying to distract us from some other project, battlestar Khrushchev remake anyone?

I don't know how Chinese space politics work, but if they are similar to the US then they might be spending money on something they aren't going to use. *cough*constellation*cough* *cough*NERVA*cough*

[vger]

Like what?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-02/chinese-spy-suspect-pleads-guilty-to-violating-nasa-rules.html

[xenomorph555]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-02/chinese-spy-suspect-pleads-guilty-to-violating-nasa-rules.html

Yeah, nasa doesn't like them stealing their urrr, "adult entertainment", what would the astronauts do in their free time.

[Idobox]

The materials in question are probably some sort of modern composite, or some textured alloy (ie honeycombed titanium)

And it is completely possible the power source is already in. Military grade batteries are very good (silver ones for example), and it doesn't take a lot of power to move on the moon.

[Red Iron Crown]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-02/chinese-spy-suspect-pleads-guilty-to-violating-nasa-rules.html

From the linked article:

“None of the computer media that Jiang attempted to bring to the PRC on March 16, 2013, contained classified information, export controlled information, or NASA proprietary information,†according to the statement of facts filed in Jiang’s case.