China lunar rover successfully touches down on far side of the moon, state media announces

CNN ^ | 1/2/19 | Matt Rivers, Helen Regan and Steven Jiang

[LibWhacker]

Beijing (CNN) — In an historic first, China has successfully landed a rover on the far side of the moon, Chinese state media announced Thursday, a huge milestone for the nation as it attempts to position itself as a leading space power.

China's National Space Administration (CNSA) landed the Chang'e 4 lunar probe at 10:26 am Beijing time on Thursday, in the South Pole-Aitken Basin which is an impact crater, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. It made its final descent from a landing orbit 15 kilometers above the moon's surface.

State media reported the rover transmitted back the world's first close range image of the far side of the moon. No other details were immediately available.

The announcement came shortly after state media outlets China Daily and China Global Television Network (CGTN) deleted posts on social media proclaiming the mission a success, sparking widespread confusion as to whether the probe had in fact had made touchdown.

No explanation was given as to why the tweets were deleted. On social media, observers speculated as to the cause of the apparent backtracking, with many wondering if the mission had experienced a temporary upset, or whether it was a simple case of state media jumping the gun ahead of the official announcement.

[DoodleBob]

[dayglored]

There is no dark side of the moon. Matter of fact, it’s ALL dark.

[laplata]

If they see lights coming toward the rover, it will freak them out. Lol

[JoSixChip]

Been there, done that. Like 50 years ago.

[Raycpa]

How does it communicate?

[DoodleBob]

I never believed the Dark Side of Oz synchronization story until I watched a few clips on YouTube. It is compelling.

While we're at it, at the very end of Strawberry Fields Forever, if you listen really closely, you can hear John Lennon saying "I wrote The Wall."

[Darksheare]

That would be hilarious.
Build a secret Rover, land it nearby and have it monster truck theirs.

[lightman]

Bingo.

Chicom Bravo Sierra on steroids.

[laplata]

“How does it communicate”?

Thread winner!

[LibWhacker]

I’m assuming an orbiter relays all data from the surface.

[DoodleBob]

Oh and supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not some farcical aquatic ceremony.

Absolutely brilliant comedy...and political science.

[Finalapproach29er]

If they cruise over to the Sea of Tranquility and knock over the US flag,how would Trump respond?

[laplata]

Lol!

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The sad reality is that though we did this first, half a century ago, we can't do it now. It'll take years and billions of dollars and - most importantly - the will to do so before we can put robotic devices or men on the moon again.

And quite frankly, the will may no longer be there - the cries of liberals insisting that every available penny be instead diverted to social welfare programs will make it impossible.

[mass55th]

"Been there, done that. Like 50 years ago."

Tell them to let us know when they find some cheese.

[laplata]

I think the flag blew down when the astronauts left.

[goldstategop]

I thought they landed a man on the moon. Oh well.

[Darksheare]

Most utterly American thing I could think of was to make a monster ruck lunar Rover for laughs.
Science?
Pfshaww.
We need hang time.

[Magnum44]

Uh, not true. We just successfully landed yet another robot vehicle on mars. We have done it repeatedly since the 70s and we are still the only nation to have successfully done so. All built by LM I should add. The only thing that keeps us from the moon is prioritization of resources. Technically it’s no different that the 60s.