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Chinese lunar rover may no longer wake up China announced that in the work of “Jade Hare” – the first Chinese Lunokhod – serious problems were discovered. Allegedly they arose due to the “difficult terrain”, according to the statement State Administration of Defense Science, Technology and industry. Whether the malfunction can be resolved is not known. Experts doubt success.
“Jade Hare” arrived on the moon in a spacecraft “Chang’e-3” – sat in the area of the Sea of Rains. Safely moved out with landing module, fell asleep, waiting for a cold moonlit night, 14 January woke up and began to study local landscapes and soil.
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Hares landed by the Rainbow Bay in the Sea of Rains Photo: NASA
Last Saturday, the lunar rover began to prepare to retreat again – another moonlit night came, the duration of which was approximately 15 earth days. There were problems. What exactly broke Chinese experts do not report. They only hint that they – malfunctions – mechanical.
Basic version of experts from the International Working Group on Moon exploration (International Lunar Exploration Working Group): the abrasive moon dust is to blame. She easily sticks anywhere as charged electrostatically.
According to group director Bernard Foing, dust could get into the mechanism by which they add up and fold out solar panels, damage it. IN causing the panel to jam. They stayed on creepy frost in minus 180 degrees.
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Experts fear that the “Jade Hare” will freeze. Photo: Csna
To awaken, the lunar rover could restore its energy balance, solar panels need to be deployed in side of the rising sun. And to do this probably will not work. Which seriously threatens the vitality of the Jade Hare. Down before her loss.
Foing also does not exclude that the dust prevented from hiding in heated compartment and folding mast with appliances that can break down.
The Jade Hare has now fallen asleep. There is no connection with him. Finally it is clear whether he is alive or not, it will become clear no earlier than February 8, when the second moonlit night for him will end. But will the sleeping one wake up? Or did he fall asleep forever?
The Chinese lunar rover worked on the moon for 6 weeks. Was planned that will travel for at least 3 months.
By the way, the Soviet “Lunokhod-1”, successfully delivered to the moon yet in 1970, worked for almost 11 months, surviving 10 lunar nights.
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