China's Yutu 2 lunar rover is still active on the far side of the moon nearly six years after its historic landing.
Earlier this year, China successfully passed the complex test. Chang E 6 Landing mission on the far side of the mooncollect samples and send them back to Earth. But Chang E 4 The Chinese mission that made the first landing on the far side of the moon in January 2019 and helped pave the way for Chang'e 6 is still going strong.
Chang'e 4's Yutu 2, or Jade Rabbit 2, rover has completed 71 lunar days of activity, according to a rare mission update. It was designed to operate for just three lunar days, or about three Earth months.
The update was released on the occasion of the day. Full Moon The eighth month, or Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese culture, includes images from Yutu 2 showing the Von Karman Crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the Moon.
The images show the rover's driving footprints in the lunar soil, numerous craters of varying sizes, and distant lunar hills. The rover has traveled a total distance of 5,292 feet (1,613 meters) so far.
The update notes that Yutu 2 appears to have started to slow down recently. It has accumulated 4,265 feet (1,300 meters) of driving distance. September 2022or just over three and a half years on the moon. It added just over 1,000 feet (305 meters) in the next two years.
It is unclear what partial factors are playing a role in Yutu 2's less extensive driving in recent years, such as possible gradual degradation of the vehicle itself due to the harsh temperature and radiation environment, the increasing demands of other lunar missions, or the more complex lunar terrain.
In addition, Zhou Wei, deputy chief designer of the ground application system for the Chang'e-4 mission, told China Central Television (CCTV) that an older system It changes The spacecraft that landed on the near side of Mars in 2013 is still in the operational phase.
“The lunar optical telescope on the Chang'e-3 lander is still operational, performing regular on-off cycles every month, although it is no longer conducting scientific observations,” Zou said.
China also has two orbiters, Queqiao and Queqiao 2, operating in lunar orbit to support missions to the far side of the moon. The country's next lunar landing mission is scheduled to be Chang E 7The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2026, and will target the Moon's South Pole.
“Extreme travel lover. Bacon fanatic. Troublemaker. Introvert. Passionate music fanatic.”
More Stories
'Fool Me Once' Tops Netflix's Latest Releases Data Alongside Bridgerton
Zach Bryan Says He Prefers Kanye Over Taylor Swift, Then Apologizes
African rock art may show an extinct animal that lived millions of years before humans appeared.