China Robotic Lunar Lander Mission Chang’e-3 Passes Thermal Dynamic Trials, Testing Key Mechanical Performance Of The Lander Prior To Trial Run Of Propulsion System; New Superconducting Receiver Developed By 16th Research Institute, China Electronic Corporation Installed In New Deep Space Monitor And Ground Control Station; Receiver Expected To Also Support Future Mars Mission
Image Credit: CNSA, CLEP
China Exhibited New Radio Telescope Sunday Located At The Foot Of Sheshan Mountain In Shanghai; 4th Largest In World; Will Do Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI); Able To Receive 8 Frequency Bands And Communicate With Earth Satellites, Lunar & Deep Space Probes; Chang’e-2 Chief Designer Wu Weiren Hopes It Will Be Operational In Time To Support Upcoming Lunar Mission
Chang’e-3, First China Lunar Surface Vehicle Will Employ Nuclear Power Supply Fueled By Plutonium 238, Making China 3rd Country After USA & Russia To Use Nuclear Energy In Space Exploration; Fuel Cells Developed By China Institute Of Atomic Energy; Chief Lunar Scientist Ziyuan Ouyang Says Fuel Cells Will Play Increasingly Important Role In Future China Deep Space Exploration
Image Credit: CIAE, CNSA, cas.cn
National Astronomical Observatories Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences (NAOC) Set To Sign MOU With International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) Tuesday In Hawai`i; ILOA International Team Of Astronomers Will Conduct Galaxy / Astronomy Research With Lunar Telescope Aboard Chang’e-3 Lander (2013) For Global 21st Century Education, In Exchange NAOC Will Receive Observing Time On ILO-X & ILO-1 Mission Instruments (NET 2014-2015)
Image Credit: ILOA, NAOC
Galactic Suite / Barcelona Moon Team President Xavier Claramunt Signs Agreement With CGWIC President Yin Liming To Launch Its Lunar Lander / Rover On China Long March 2C Rocket With Upper Stage CTS2 In June 2014; Mission Can Carry 25kg Of Additional Customer Payload Weight; With Launch Contract Team Is Now Among Favorites To Win GLXP, Ranked 3rd In Evadot Scorecard
Image Credit: Barcelona Moon Team, CGWIC
Scientists From China, USA & Europe Focusing On Theme ‘Changing Perspectives & New Questions’, 6-10 Aug In Beijing China ; Organized By Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Workshop Will Encompass All Aspects Of Moon / Mars Science From Geophysics / Geology To Aeronomy & Solar Wind Interactions; Discussions On Science Questions That Motivate Missions, Rather Than Details Of Spacecraft Investigations
Image Credit: CNSA, CSA, NASA
Chang’e-3 Moon Rover Will Utilize Nuclear Battery Which Could Last Up To 30 Years, Survive Cold Lunar Nights; Radar Payload Will Scan About 100 Meters Below Lunar Surface; Vehicle Will Hover 4m Above Moon Before Dropping To Surface; China Conducting Tests Of Next-Generation Engine For Long March 5 Rocket Critical For 3rd Stage Of Lunar Exploration Program, Including Chang’e-5 Sample Return
Image Credit: CNSA
China Chief Lunar Scientist Ziyuan Ouyang Provides Update On Chang’e Program; Chang’e-2 Has Left L2 After 235 Days Of Solar Observation, Now Heading For Rendezvous With Asteroid 4179, Will Arrive To Monitor / Explore Asteroid Around 1 March 2013; Chang’e-3 Lunar Rover Will Feature Atomic Fuel Cells, Radar To Explore 100m Below Surface; Chang’e-5 Sample Return Mission To Be Launched By Long March 5 Rocket Currently Under Development
Image Credit: CLEP, CNSA, CCTV
International Lunar Observatory Association Advancing Cooperative Program With National Astronomical Observatories Of China To Conduct Galaxy Astronomical Imaging For Global 21st Century Education Using Lunar Telescope Of Chang’e-3 (2013) Moon Lander; In Exchange NAOC Will Conduct Research With ILO-X Precursor Mission (NET 2014) & ILO-1 Polar Mission (NET 2015) Observatories
Image Credit: ILOA, NAOC
Image Credit: Masten Space Systems, Phil Smith
Space Agencies & Commercial Enterprises Refining Plans For Human Lunar Development; ULA Forms Organization For Human Launches Beyond LEO; Masten Reveals Human Lunar Lander Design; Space Adventures Advancing Circumlunar Mission; China Lunar Exploration Program Progressing; Russia Reinvigorates Push For Moonbase; Human Lunar Presence Ensures Multi-World Species Future