Out of the Cradle

Trulson

A year long lunar fly-by mission might get started as early as April, 2007, according to Luan Enjie, commander-in-chief of China's lunar exploration program. After a conference for leaders of that program, Luan spoke to reporters and when asked about a manned mission to the moon, he jokingly replied, "Sending a man to the Moon? It would be a one-way ticket if we do it now, given the thrust of our rockets at present is not strong enough."

In the later part of an article on the English version of China View website, it was said that the satellite would orbit the moon collecting data.

This could be a combination of things; my layman's misunderstanding of what "fly-by" means, or once again translation problems. But, to my way of thinking, they are two different things.

The article mentions a program timetable of sorts for mile marker mission which include the first unmanned lunar landing mission in 2010 and a soil sample collecting mission scheduled around 2020.

Honoring a Chinese legend about a fairy-like creature called Chang'e who flies to the moon, this program is called Chang'e project and the first lunar orbiting satellite is named Chang'e-I.

There are times I wish I was able to read Chinese because it seems like every time they speak we get a different answer or at least a different translation of the same answer.
_________________
This too, shall pass,
Mark J. Trulson

mark [at] outofthecradle [dot] net

sgeorge1701 · Founding Member Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 14

That really seems like an ion drive - low thrust mission that will just "pass by the moon" on its way to deep space.

Not exactly a "threat" to the USA space industry.

Whereas I applaud China's efforts - they really aren't in the Manned Lunar Landing League. Heck they aren't ready to orbit the moon yet.

More time, more spacecraft more lifting ability.

The future is open.... (for a while)

Steve