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Yutu 2
Why is it in news?
- China has named the lunar rover, successfully deployed to carry out a string of experiments on the far side of the moon, as ‘Yutu-2’.
- Yutu-2 touched the lunar surface leaving a trace on the loose lunar soil.
- The rover’s touchdown is part of China Chang’e-4 lunar probe.
More in news
Yutu 2 :
- Objectives:
- The rover has been programmed to launch ground penetration radar that would help map the moon’s inner structures.
- It would also analyse soil and rock samples for minerals, apart from activating a radio telescope to search for possible signals from deep space.
- The payload also carried a canister filled with air, soil, water, bacterium, silkworm eggs, the seeds of a small flowering plant and a potato.
- Homegrown GPS: It follows the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System — China’s homegrown Global Positioning System that started worldwide service.
- Made in China-2025’ project: China’s lunar probe is part of its ‘Made in China-2025’ project, which focuses on advanced technology, including space applications.
- Next Planned missions :
- In 2020, China plans to launch its Mars explorer mission.
- In 2022, it hopes to complete its own Earth-orbiting space station.
- Research base on the moon: After the latest launch, Beijing is moving forward with plans to build a research base on the moon.
- Mining of Helium-3 on Moon: It is also said that China considering mining for helium-3 on Moon, a rare substance on earth that can be used as a fuel in nuclear fusion power generation.
- Impact on China and US relations:
- China’s advances can mutate into a Cold war-style competition in outer space with the United States.
- Landing could intensify the space race between China and the U.S.
- U.S. is growing increasingly alarmed because a more advanced Chinese space programme could be translated into military strength.
Source
The Hindu