Now China's turn to go to the Moon

After some time ago India launched their first spacecraft to Mars, then China also launched their first extraterrestrial lander headed for the Moon on December 2, 2013. Chang'e-3 spacecraft, which is equipped with a Moon rover named Yutu or Jade Rabbit, launched using a Long March 3B rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province, China, at 1:30 am local time.

A Long March 3B rocket launches with China's 'Yutu' moon rover from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Dec. 1, 2013. (Picture from: http://www.space.com/)

The launch of an unmanned spacecraft to the Moon is a major breakthrough in the country's space program. President Xi Jinping said that he wanted China to position themselves as one of space superpowers, and that mission has inspired pride in the growth of China's technological expertise.

An artist's illustration of China's Yutu (Jade Rabbit) moon rover on the lunar surface. The rover and a lander are part of China's Chang'e-3 mission to the moon's Bay of Rainbows. (Picture from: http://www.space.com/)

Graphic chronology of Chinese space
programme. The country launched its first Moon 
rover mission Monday. (Picture from: http://phys.org/)

If all goes according to plan, Yutu will conduct geological surveys and looking for natural resources after the Chang'e-3 spacecraft landed on the Moon in mid-December.

"The spacecraft has entered in desired orbit," said Zhang Zhenzhong, Xichang Launch Center Director, as quoted by Xinhua news agency.

In 2007, China launched their first Moon orbiter, Chang'e-1. The spacecraft name is taken from the moon goddess in Chinese mythology, Chang'e. The spacecraft was taking pictures of the lunar surface and analyze the spread of its elements.

China to send Jade Rabbit to the Moon, 
reveals plans for first space station.
(Picture from: http://engtechmag.wordpress.com/)

When the spacecraft is named after the goddess of the Moon, so the Moon rover name is taken from the name of the goddess's pet rabbit, i.e Yutu or Jade Rabbit. The use of names for this Moon rover decided by public vote.

Chinese scientists have discussed the possibility of sending humans to the Moon by 2020. In the space mission last June, three Chinese astronauts spent 15 days in orbit and docking test with the space laboratory, as the preparation of the Chinese desire to create a space station in 2020.

If the Moon mission is a success, China will become the third country to land on the Moon, after the United States and the former Soviet Union. But when compared with the two space superpowers, China's achievements is not nothing. Both America and the former Soviet Union have landed on the Moon over 40 years ago.

At this early stage of China's only aim to land their spacecraft to the Moon, and then release the Moon rover and finally make the spacecraft returns to Earth in 2017. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REUTERS | XINHUA | SPACE | TJANDRA DEWI | KORAN TEMPO 4421]

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