Made in China rover on the Moon.

[mikedt]

BBC News - China's Jade Rabbit Moon rover sends back first photos

"The first robot to land on the Moon in nearly 40 years, China's Jade Rabbit rover, has begun sending back photos, with shots of its lunar lander." :thumb:

Wouldn't surprise me if the PRC sends astronauts, or rather taikonauts, and even establish a station on the Moon sooner or later.

 

[Rukbat]

500 years ago, China didn't know that North America existed. Now China owns a large part of it.

The times never stand still.

 

[jefboyardee]

Well, we landed on the moon fifty-ish years ago and then sunk slowly into the depravity we call today. Maybe they'll do likewise.

 

[Rukbat]

It's not so much "depravity". "Man lands on the moon" is really exciting news. "Man lands on the moon again" is pretty exciting news. "Morning shuttle to Lunar City lands" wouldn't make the bottom of the last column on the last page.

The more common something becomes, the less interested people are in it. When NASA said "we need $X to land on the moon, Congress said, "Here's a blank check - write whatever number you need on it". When NASA tells Congress today, "We need $X to start working on a manned mission to Mars", Congress says, "Is it lunch time yet?"

In 50 years the Chinese will be looking for the soy sauce, and the Borneans will be landing on the moon.

 

[Gmash]

Is it a counterfeit rover?

 

[Slug]

When NASA said "we need $X to land on the moon, Congress said, "Here's a blank check - write whatever number you need on it".

The NASA program of the '60s was driven primarily by Cold War rivalry. The Soviet Union had launched the first artificial satellite and made the first manned orbit of Earth, so the US had to show it was equal. It was also, handily, a useful way to develop ICBMs.

In 50 years the Chinese will be looking for the soy sauce

In 50 years the Chinese will probably have a lunar colony established. Or cornered the market in Eezo. This won't be about national pride or flag-waving.... if the Chinese are spending money on it there must be sound reasons.

 

[lunatic59]

Aren't the Vulcans supposed to be landing in Montana in 50 years?

 

[mikedt]

"Space may be the final frontier, but it's made in a Hollywood basement"

 

[Gmash]

Huawei decided to give up on the U.S. market and be the first to crack the emerging lunar market.

 

[Stannis the Mannis]

This is awesome, we need to look to the stars. I hope to see more news like this.

 

[olbriar]

Congrats to the Chinese! To truly explore space is going to take a global effort. After all, it is an endeavor that will benefit all of mankind. I'm happy to see the Chinese getting involved and having success.

 

[kate]

For reference, the rover landed about 500 miles northwest of the Apollo 15 landing:

Google Moon

 

[jefboyardee]

I got 'em figured out... they're doing this so they can invent Chinese Tang!

 

[Stannis the Mannis]

Congrats to the Chinese! To truly explore space is going to take a global effort. After all, it is an endeavor that will benefit all of mankind. I'm happy to see the Chinese getting involved and having success.

Yeah I hope other countries start getting involved, the more the merrier.

 

[Gmash]

Yeah I hope other countries start getting involved, the more the merrier.

At least until countries start claiming territory, then we'll have to have wars up there. Humans ruin everything we touch.

 

[codesplice]

wat

 

[staks]

I like the landing of the China's Jade Rabbit.
Chines rocks.....

 

[bjacks12]

How funny would it be if we hit it with an EMP pulse in retaliation for them trying to stop one of our battleships recently.

 

[Hadron]

We? Our?

(And no, I don't think it would be funny. Mind you, I don't think anyone has an EMP weapon that can hit something on the Moon either, so it doesn't really matter.)

 

[Member243850]

Does this Rover know any Kung Fu?

Only the greatest of Masters know the Kung Fu... it also needs a looooooong beard to make sure it is 1 of the greatest Kung Fu masters that has ever lived ever...

The beard needs to be soooo long that it goes around the Pyramids... through the Arch De Triumph and over the Great Wall of China... this beard must wrap itself around the world multiple times in order to become a great Kung Fu Rover...

If this rover does not show great skills in the Kung Fu... then it is not a great rover...

Do you guys know who is the greatest Kung Fu master that has ever lived ever?

If you can tell the greatest master ever... then you will have my respect... ek se.

 

[codesplice]

Spaaaaaace > International politics.

I'm thrilled to see man-made stuff on the moon, regardless of its country of origin.

 

[lunatic59]

I'm thrilled to see man-made stuff on the moon, regardless of its country of origin.

I hear the next US mission will establish parking meters for foreign rovers. Aliens with diplomatic plates will be exempt.

 

[Gmash]

America planted our flag first, so we own it. The only real controversy is who gets there first, Wal-Mart or Starbucks?

 

[lunatic59]

America planted our flag first, so we own it. The only real controversy is who gets there first, Wal-Mart or Starbucks?

Neither ...

Spoiler

 

[Gmash]

Neither ...

Spoiler

Ooh, free Wi-Fi?