by Sean Martin December 7, 2018 (express.co.uk)
- On December 7th, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched a Moon lander, dubbed Chang’e-4, as the first ever probe to land on the dark side (back) of the Moon. Chang’e-4 will provide information about the side of the Moon that we never see, including the surface temperature and the chemical make-up of the soil. Chang’e-4 is also bringing a big container with seeds and insect eggs to hatch on the Moon itself.
- The probe is scheduled to land on the Moon in early 2019. While the Chinese space center is tight-lipped about the mission, it is speculated that the Chang’e-4 probe will land at the Von Karaman crater which is 180 kilometers in diameter, near the Moon’s south pole.
- Because of its position, the Moon would block out any communication signals sent back to Earth. So earlier this year the Chinese placed a satellite in orbit behind the Moon to act as a relay point for the probe to communicate with ground control.
- Dr Carolyn van der Bogert, a planetary geologist at Westfälische Wilhelms Universityin Münster, Germany, said, “This mission is definitely a significant and important accomplishment in lunar exploration.”
- NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research team said, “The lunar far side — that mysterious face of the Moon hidden from Earth – contains a cache of clues about how the Earth formed, how planets evolved, and how volcanic and impact cratering processes reshaped the Solar System.”
- [Editor’s Note] They say that the back of the Moon is a bee hive of activity with numerous bases. According to Corey Goode, the Lunar Operations Command base is behind the Moon at the ten o-clock position. From what we know, however,there is far less activity in the southern hemisphere of the back side of the Moon than in the northern hemisphere. Have the Chinese intentionally chosen a spot on the back of the Moon that is far removed from any bases, making this more of a public relations stunt than a true exploration? It is more likely that the Chinese are well aware of the Moon bases on the dark side, and in reality this is an intelligence gathering mission which the Chinese will keep secret from the public anyway.
The east Asian nation has been typically secretive about the mission, keeping a lot of information under wraps. However, with the launch date of the lander scheduled today, December 7, at 6.30 PM GMT, China has been forced into releasing some information about the spaceship. The mission has been dubbed Chang’e-4 and will be the first ever probe to land on the dark side of the moon.
Chang’e-4 will provide a heap of information about the part of the moon which is never seen by Earth, including surface temperature, chemical make up of the soil and an amazing view into deep space, but what is being carried with the lander is the most peculiar.
China’s ship will take with it big container that includes seeds and insect eggs which will essentially create the first known extraterrestrials – a life-form which is born on another celestial body.
Communication would be difficult for Chang’e-4 as the moon will block out any signals sent to Earth.
This is why the lander is being accompanied by the Queqiao satellite which was sent earlier this year
Queqiao will act as a relay point between the dark side of the moon and Earth so ground control can remain in contact with the probe.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has kept a lot of information quiet, but it has garnered a lot of attention worldwide.
Dr Carolyn van der Bogert, a planetary geologist at Westfälische Wilhelms University in Münster, Germany, said: “This mission is definitely a significant and important accomplishment in lunar exploration.”
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