China Moon-Based Telescope Carrying Out Continuous Observation In Near-Ultraviolet Spectrum, Already Captured Images Of 23 Astronomical Phenomena; Lunar Radar Acquiring Data In 2 Channels Exploring Structures 10m & 140m Below Lunar Surface, Identified 11 Chemical Elements In Regolith Including Magnesium, Aluminum, Titanium & Iron; Chang’e-3 Youth Team Receives Elite Youth Of China 2013 People Of Year Award
Image Credit: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Draco, The Dragon: Astronomical First Light On Moon Received Successfully By China Chang’e-3 Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT) From Sinus Iridum / Mare Imbrium 44.12°N 19.51°W; First Long-Term Observatory Deployed On Moon, LUT Has Aperture Of 150mm, Covers Wavelength Range Of 245-340 Nanometers, Detects Objects Down To 13 Magnitude Brightness; Management Team Prepared For At Least 1 Year Of Observations / Operations
Image Credit: Chinese Academy of Sciences, CC Multimedia
China Moon Crafts Resuming Scientific Work After Awakening From 2 Weeks Of Hibernation; Ground Penetrating Radar On Rover Expected To Gather New Information Related To Chemical Composition & Depth Of Lunar Soil, Aid Lunar Mining Preparations; Lunar Ultraviolet Telescopes Will Prove Value Of Moon-Based Observatories, Monitor Earth Plasmasphere, Observe Galaxies / Stars; Pictured (Inset): 1st Image Of Earth From Moon In 4 Decades
Image Credit: Chinese Academy Of Sciences
Canada Astronaut Chris Hadfield, Veteran Of 3 Spaceflights, Says International Efforts To Return To Moon Should Include Collaboration With As Many Spacefaring Nations As Possible; Cooperation With China Especially Important For Exploration / Development Of Moon As “Next Natural Waypoint Out To Space;” China Lunar Exploration Program Officials Confirm They Are Working On Human Moon Landing, Preparation For Lunar Base Construction
Image Credit: Lauren Crawford, engadget.com
China Moon Lander & Rover To Awaken From 2-Week Lunar Night Hibernation ~8 Jan For 1st Full Lunar Day Of Operations; Solar Panels & Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Using 238-Plutonium Dioxide Power Lander Instruments During Day, RTG Provides Heat During Night; Yutu Rover Powered By Solar Panels, Uses Radioisotope Heater Units & ‘Fold-Up’ Technique To Survive Cold Nights, Expected Operational Life Is Minimum 3 Months
Image Credit: China Space, NASA
Multi Nation Science And Commerce Human Lunar Expeditions 2019-2020 Preceded By Moon South Pole International Traffic Jam 2015-2016 With Robotic Landings From USA, PRC, Japan, India, Russia, as well as Moon Express / ILOA, Golden Spike, Shackleton Energy, Astrobotic, Lunar Lions, Others; NEOs, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn Next
Ad Astra — Happy New Year / Holidays To All
Image Credit: NASA, ILOA, ME, Penn State Lunar Lions, Astrobotic Technology
LADEE Measuring Changes In Lunar Atmosphere Caused By Chang’e-3-Released Dust & Exhaust, Comparing To Baseline Data Collected During Full 29.5-Day Lunar Cycle Prior To China Arrival; LRO Scans Landing Site With LAMP Instrument Looking For Exhaust Plume Signature, LROC Able To Image Lander / Rover At ~2m / Pixel, Will Attempt Image On 24 Dec; ARTEMIS Spacecraft Look For Plume Signatures In Plasma & Magnetic Field
Image Credit: NASA, CCTV
As Chang’e-3 & Yutu Activate Science Instruments, Space Law Experts Glenn Reynolds (Top) – In USA Today Opinion Piece – & Homer Hickam Posit That Mining / Territorial Claims May Follow; Reynolds Suggests Such An Act Could Stimulate Commercial / Government Lunar Development, Says 1967 Outer Space Treaty Is Main Culprit For 4 Decades Of Lunar Vacancy
Image Credit: ImagineChina, Twitter, NASA
Chang’e-5 Moon Lander / Rover Will Mark Beginning Of 3rd Phase Of China Lunar Exploration Program; On Schedule For 2017, Uncrewed Vehicle Will Attempt To Collect & Return Moon Rocks To Earth, Requiring Several Breakthrough Technologies For China; Chang’e-4 Lander / Rover Mission, Possibly Destined For South Pole Moon, Will Checkout Technologies Needed For Sample Return Mission
Image Credit: CLEP, CNSA
Chang’e-3 Successful Landing At Sinus Iridum “Bay Of Rainbows” 44°N 31°W On 14 December 2013 Points To New Epoch For Humanity As Permanent Operations On Moon Are Precursor To Multi World Species Reality; ILOA Milky Way Galaxy Image By Chang’e-3 UV Telescope May Impact 21st Century As EarthRise Photo By Apollo Shaped 20th
Image Credit: chinanews.com