Shanghai launched its prototype lunar rover, or
remote-controlled vehicle MR-2, and has staked its hopes of being
selected to take part in China's first moon landing in 2012,
researchers announced over the weekend.
Saturday saw the remote-controlled vehicle MR-2 unveiled at a
China-United Kingdom space technology seminar at the Shanghai
Aerospace System Engineering Institute.
The rover, with a cruising speed of 100 meters per hour and
evening out at 1.5 meters high and 200 kilograms, is inspired from
America's "Spirit," which made its successful first run on
Mars.
"We want to make it better than the early US and Russian
rovers," institute director Luo Jian said, although he did not
specify the improvements to be made.
Luo announced that the moon vehicle has been four years in the
making at a laboratory kitted out to replicate the surface of
Earth's sole moon.
The rover has the ability to capture three-dimensional images,
transmit real-time motion pictures and perform instant digging and
analysis of soil of samples. It can also climb inclines and is
fitted with sensors to avoid obstacles.
Fine tuning is still ongoing to make sure the vehicle will
withstand the moon's gravity, only one-sixth that of Earth's, and
will be able to function despite cosmic rays, solar radiation and
vast temperature swings between -180 degrees Celsius at night and
150 degrees in the day. The institute will improve its laboratory
to simulate moon-like gravity conditions and give it the ability to
bombard the rover with cosmic rays to round out its testing.
Power generation remains a thorn in the engineers' side since
solar power could be problem on the moon due to its long nights,
lasting 14 Earth days. A solution could be provided by a nuclear
power source which will allow the rover constant power during its
voyage 380,000 kilometers into space.
Space institutes in Beijing and around China are also working on
their own rovers with China's central space authority still not
revealing when the final selection will be made.
The country's lunar ambitions fall under the aegis of the
"Chang'e Project," named after the Chinese moon goddess. I It
comprises three stages through 2017.
Made up of three stages, the project will first see a lunar
orbiter launched later this year to be followed by a
remote-controlled lunar rover in 2012 and an unmanned return module
will follow.
Following this, preparations are underway for a manned lunar
trip after 2017.
(Shanghai Daily April 2, 2007)