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China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

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Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#11
post #6
post #4

Copying earlier comment: Wikipedia seems to say the rover mission duration is 3 months, yet the previous rover traveled for a year and transmitted a bit longer. The Chinese seemed quite coy about it failing last time (as with many things) so perhaps underpromising in this case? This all preparation for China's planned permanent radio telescope on the far side which would be a huge boon for astronomers by escaping Ear…

> Also out left field is the 3kg "self sustaining" biosphere of silkworms and plants with a camera inside. Interested to see how long it survives. Aw man, that's how you get giant mutant moonworms.

They should've added those to Iron Sky

Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#13
post #4

Copying earlier comment: Wikipedia seems to say the rover mission duration is 3 months, yet the previous rover traveled for a year and transmitted a bit longer. The Chinese seemed quite coy about it failing last time (as with many things) so perhaps underpromising in this case? This all preparation for China's planned permanent radio telescope on the far side which would be a huge boon for astronomers by escaping Ear…

I'd interpret the stated duration as a criterion for whatever budget they came up with. Building something that'll last 90 days in a harsh environment is a lot less expensive than one that needs to last at least a year. And assuming the folks monitoring the rover aren't working for free, the budget needs to include their cost of employment for a fixed amount of time.

Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#14
post #6
post #4

Copying earlier comment: Wikipedia seems to say the rover mission duration is 3 months, yet the previous rover traveled for a year and transmitted a bit longer. The Chinese seemed quite coy about it failing last time (as with many things) so perhaps underpromising in this case? This all preparation for China's planned permanent radio telescope on the far side which would be a huge boon for astronomers by escaping Ear…

> Also out left field is the 3kg "self sustaining" biosphere of silkworms and plants with a camera inside. Interested to see how long it survives. Aw man, that's how you get giant mutant moonworms.

Where's that? I couldn't fimd it in the linked article.

Sounds like Elon Musk's original idea for a greenhouse on Mars, to inspire via realtime cam. Is there any indication they'll have a public cam for it?

Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#16
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This comment threw me for a loop - "L2" and "lasso" triggered the pattern recognition in my head for "regression regularization" and it took a moment to realize the topic was still orbital dynamics. Come to think of it, saying "Lagrangian" wouldn't have prevented my confusion - not that there's anything wrong with the terminology in OP. I'm reminded of a passage in Cryptonomicon , which I've been rereading: "Newton w…

This comment threw me for a loop - "L2" and "lasso" triggered the pattern recognition in my head for "regression regularization" and it took a moment to realize the topic was still orbital dynamics. Yeah. It's not the most apt choice of words.

It's a fine choice of words. It's just a coincidence.

Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#17
post #15

From the NYT article [0] on the topic: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have not dared try.” -- someone associated with the Chinese space agency Why so insecure? Not a good look. [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/asia/china-change-4...

It sounds like a flamebait from NYT. I would not bite.

Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#18
post #15

From the NYT article [0] on the topic: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have not dared try.” -- someone associated with the Chinese space agency Why so insecure? Not a good look. [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/asia/china-change-4...

Welcome to any discussion about China.

Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#19
post #15

From the NYT article [0] on the topic: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have not dared try.” -- someone associated with the Chinese space agency Why so insecure? Not a good look. [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/asia/china-change-4...

I'm pretty happy if China wants to throw shade at the US over space program accomplishments. I'd prefer a measuring contest over space accomplishments then building more earth-bound weapons systems.

Re: China lands Chang'e-4 on far side of Moon

#20
post #17
post #15

From the NYT article [0] on the topic: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have not dared try.” -- someone associated with the Chinese space agency Why so insecure? Not a good look. [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/asia/china-change-4...

It sounds like a flamebait from NYT. I would not bite.

Agreed. This professor didn't even work on the mission.
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