China successfully soft-lands probe on the moon

[Prunepicker]

From the Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) -- China on Saturday successfully carried out the world's
first soft landing of a space probe on the moon in nearly four decades,
state media said, the next stage in an ambitious space program that aims
to eventually put a Chinese astronaut on the moon.

The unmanned Chang'e 3 lander, named after a mythical Chinese goddess
of the moon, touched down on Earth's nearest neighbor following a 12
minute landing process.

The probe carried a six-wheeled moon rover called "Yutu," or "Jade
Rabbit," the goddess' pet. After landing Saturday evening on a fairly flat,
Earth-facing part of the moon, the rover was slated to separate from
the Chang'e eight hours later and embark on a three-month scientific
exploration.

[ljbab728]

From the Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) -- China on Saturday successfully carried out the world's
first soft landing of a space probe on the moon in nearly four decades,
state media said, the next stage in an ambitious space program that aims
to eventually put a Chinese astronaut on the moon.

The unmanned Chang'e 3 lander, named after a mythical Chinese goddess
of the moon, touched down on Earth's nearest neighbor following a 12
minute landing process.

The probe carried a six-wheeled moon rover called "Yutu," or "Jade
Rabbit," the goddess' pet. After landing Saturday evening on a fairly flat,
Earth-facing part of the moon, the rover was slated to separate from
the Chang'e eight hours later and embark on a three-month scientific
exploration.

Is there any particular reason you posted this or do you have thoughts about it that you didn't mention? It is an interesting event, however.

[RadicalModerate]

In reality, the name of the probe is Yutube and it's the Chinese version of a spy satellite.
Actually, not so much a satellite but more like a land based satellite on a larger orbiting satellite.

[OKCisOK4me]

Maybe they're going to look for the famous footprint, American flag, various moon landing vehicles and mirror we left on the moon that we shoot the laser at every day!

[Cocaine]

Pretty damn impressive and the landing site is very far away from all the other landing sites. Just doing some test for the most part.

[trousers]

Great...now the Chinese are faking moon landings too.