Yutu enters hibernation again with its technical problems unresolved
Posted: Sun, Feb 23, 2014, 10:16 AM ET (1516 GMT)
China's Yutu lunar rover entered its third two-week hibernation period Saturday with technical problems that earlier appeared to jeopardize the mission unresolved, official media reported. The rover entered hibernation as lunar night began Saturday still suffering from unspecified "mechanical control issues that might cripple the vehicle," according to the Xinhua news agency. Those issues have not affected the rover's instruments, including radar, panoramic camera, and infrared imager, which are all working. However, the problems have apparently prevented the rover from moving, as the report indicated Yutu was limited to "fixed point observations" during the latest lunar day. Officials had reported the technical problems with the rover prior to going into hibernation last month, and problems establishing contact with the rover after that hibernation period ended two weeks ago led to reports that the rover had died. Yutu arrived on the Moon in December with the Chang'e-3 lander; that spacecraft also went into hibernation this weekend after carrying out observations with its instruments.
China's Yutu lunar rover entered its third two-week hibernation period Saturday with technical problems that earlier appeared to jeopardize the mission unresolved, official media reported. The rover entered hibernation as lunar night began Saturday still suffering from unspecified "mechanical control issues that might cripple the vehicle," according to the Xinhua news agency. Those issues have not affected the rover's instruments, including radar, panoramic camera, and infrared imager, which are all working. However, the problems have apparently prevented the rover from moving, as the report indicated Yutu was limited to "fixed point observations" during the latest lunar day. Officials had reported the technical problems with the rover prior to going into hibernation last month, and problems establishing contact with the rover after that hibernation period ended two weeks ago led to reports that the rover had died. Yutu arrived on the Moon in December with the Chang'e-3 lander; that spacecraft also went into hibernation this weekend after carrying out observations with its instruments.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 12
ISRO’s ‘privatisation’ move: What India’s space policy says
Indian Express — 2:50 am ET (0650 GMT) After €387 million raise, The Exploration Company wins ESA’s “ALADDIN” cargo capsule contract worth €760 million
EU-Startups — 2:48 am ET (0648 GMT) French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet: Europe must 'maximise scientific return' from ISS before closure
EuroNews — 2:47 am ET (0647 GMT) Finland Urges Musk To Allow Starlink Use Against Russia
Aviation Week — 2:45 am ET (0645 GMT) Florida makes case to host new US Space Academy
WESH-TV Orlando — 2:43 am ET (0643 GMT) |
