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