Chinese Moon Probe Ventures Into Deep Space 167
hackingbear writes "After completing its 6-month moon survey mission, China's second moon orbiter, Chang'e-2, was found to be in excellent condition and has abundant fuel left, and so it set off from its moon orbit into deep space, heading toward Lagrangian point L2 about 1.5 million kilometers away from the earth, or about 4 times farther out than the moon. The orbiter left its moon orbit at 5:10 p.m., according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence. The probe is expected to perform exploration at L2. It is the first Chinese spacecraft to venture beyond the moon and establish the country's capability in deep space exploration."
Several space observatories already occupy L2 - (Score:3, Interesting)
- the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, Herschel Space Observatory and Planck Space Observatory. One would hope the Chinese would take steps not only to avoid crashing into those but also to avoid interrupting the science those are performing. I'm sure the ops people for all of those craft are scrambling now to understand what the Chinese are doing and what they might have to do to compensate.
Usually all the contingencies for a spacecraft are worked out long in advance - I think it disingenuous to suggest they just decided to take a joy ride with their remaining fuel.
Re:China's expanding in space... (Score:5, Interesting)
2. Afghanistan
3. Libya
4. Yemen
5. Drugs
6. Poverty (lost)
7. Terrorism
8. Iran (Cyber)
9. Cuba (Economic)
I'm probably forgetting a few.
10. Pakistan (pardon us while we bomb your sovereign territory).
So, yes, three wars. For a surprisingly high value of three.
Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)