Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




DRAGON SPACE
What's up, Yutu
by Morris Jones
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Feb 17, 2014


Yutu as imaged by the Chang-e lunar lander.

It's been a few days since China said that the embattled Yutu Moon rover had sent a transmission back to Earth. Yutu suffered a mechanical anomaly roughly four weeks ago, shortly before it entered a frigid two-week lunar night.

The anomaly, believed to involve a faulty solar panel mechanism, threatened to cause Yutu to freeze to death in the darkness. Yutu was apparently silent after daybreak, but apparently transmitted something after roughly three days.

Since then, there has been a lack of information on the state of Yutu. China is investigating the state of the rover and probably working on strategies to continue its operations.

Right now, we don't know exactly how much of the rover works, how much could work in the future, or how much has been damaged beyond use. We also don't know if anything useful can be accomplished with the rover now.

China has been stingy on releasing information, but this is understandable. The Chinese themselves are probably slowly, methodically and cautiously testing their robot. Releasing any information prematurely could lead to confusion or concern.

How can they tell the world about the state of Yutu when they are not entirely sure themselves? The Chinese were fairly open about the fact that Yutu had suffered a mechanical anomaly and was generally not expected to survive. Given enough time, we can expect more official reports.

The state of the rover itself is also probably changing. As time passes, it is steadily being heated by the sun. This will probably affect the state and the functionality of some of its parts. The angle of the sun is also changing as the sun rises.

This means that different parts are illuminated at different times. Some of the rover's most sensitive components could be warmed back to life if they are hit by direct sunlight in the next few days.

For the moment, all we can do is wait and hope for the best. It's already a good sign that a transmission was received after the long night. This alone provides useful engineering information on the state of the rover's components and their suitability for future missions.

Dr Morris Jones is an Australian space analyst who has written for spacedaily.com since 1999. Email morrisjonesNOSPAMhotmail.com. Replace NOSPAM with @ to send email. Dr Jones will answer media inquiries.

.


Related Links
China National Space Administration
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








DRAGON SPACE
Yutu Awakes
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Feb 13, 2014
After a considerable delay and some highly vague statements, China has indicated that the Yutu Moon rover is transmitting telemetry to Earth. This is a highly encouraging development, as it suggests that all is not lost for the embattled robot. It also counteracts earlier speculation by analysts (including this writer) that Yutu was completely dead. Yutu experienced problems shortly before ... read more


DRAGON SPACE
Chang'e-2 lunar probe travels 70 mln km

LADEE Sends Its First Images of the Moon Back to Earth

Source of 'Moon Curse' Revealed by Eclipse

NASA bets on private companies to exploit moon's resources

DRAGON SPACE
NASA solves mystery of Mars 'doughnut' rock

The World Above and Beyond

'Pinnacle Island' Rock Studies Continue

Calculated Risks: How Radiation Rules Mars Exploration

DRAGON SPACE
Inside astronaut Alexander's head

Boeing Commercial Crew Program Passes NASA Hardware, Software Reviews

Is truth stranger than fiction? Yes, especially for science fiction

ORBITEC Supports NASA Kennedys Advanced Plant Habitat for ISS

DRAGON SPACE
What's up, Yutu

China's Jade Rabbit rover comes 'back to life'

Yutu Awakes

Moon plays trick on Jade Rabbit

DRAGON SPACE
NASA, International Space Station Partners Announce Future Crew Members

Andrews Space Cargo Module Power Unit Provides Power For Payloads Bound For ISS

Russian Progress M-22M docks with ISS following fast rendezvous

Russian Resupply Spacecraft Begins Expedited Flight to Station

DRAGON SPACE
Airbus Defence and Space wins new ESA contract for Ariane 6

An Early 2014 Surprise - Arianespace Needs More Money

Another Vega launcher for Arianespace takes shape at the Spaceport

Turkey launches satellite to increase Internet speed

DRAGON SPACE
Kepler Finds a Very Wobbly Planet

One planet, two stars: new research shows how circumbinary planets form

First Weather Map of Brown Dwarf

NASA-Sponsored 'Disk Detective' Lets Public Search for New Planetary Nurseries

DRAGON SPACE
Data links quick fix

Atlas Elektronik zeros in on Indian sonar deal

Space junk endangers mankind's usual course of life

Theorists predict new forms of exotic insulating materials




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.