This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26153520
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
China's Jade Rabbit lunar rover 'could be saved' | China's Jade Rabbit lunar rover 'could be saved' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
China's first lunar rover could potentially be saved, despite experiencing mechanical problems, state media report. | China's first lunar rover could potentially be saved, despite experiencing mechanical problems, state media report. |
The moon rover had "awoken" from its scheduled dormancy and "stands a chance of being saved", a spokesperson quoted by news agency Xinhua said. | |
The Jade Rabbit suffered a serious mechanical problem in January. | The Jade Rabbit suffered a serious mechanical problem in January. |
Its deployment on 15 December was the first successful landing on the Moon since 1976. | Its deployment on 15 December was the first successful landing on the Moon since 1976. |
The lunar rover was expected to operate for about three months. | The lunar rover was expected to operate for about three months. |
'Still alive' | 'Still alive' |
Earlier reports in Chinese media had suggested that Jade Rabbit, or Yutu in Chinese, had been declared dead on the surface of the moon. | Earlier reports in Chinese media had suggested that Jade Rabbit, or Yutu in Chinese, had been declared dead on the surface of the moon. |
In a report entitled "loss of lunar rover", the China News Service said that the rover "could not be restored to full function on Monday as expected" and was "mourned" by Chinese social media users. | In a report entitled "loss of lunar rover", the China News Service said that the rover "could not be restored to full function on Monday as expected" and was "mourned" by Chinese social media users. |
However, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday that the rover was awake and was able to pick up signals, although it still had a mechanical malfunction. | However, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday that the rover was awake and was able to pick up signals, although it still had a mechanical malfunction. |
"At first we were worried the rover could not withstand the low temperatures on the moon, because it entered its dormant state while in an abnormal state. But it is alive," Pei Zhaoyu, a spokesman for the lunar probe programme, said in comments quoted by Xinhua news agency. | "At first we were worried the rover could not withstand the low temperatures on the moon, because it entered its dormant state while in an abnormal state. But it is alive," Pei Zhaoyu, a spokesman for the lunar probe programme, said in comments quoted by Xinhua news agency. |
"It is still alive, so there is a chance it could be saved," Mr Pei added. | "It is still alive, so there is a chance it could be saved," Mr Pei added. |
Radio amateurs also reported picking up downlink transmissions from the rover on Wednesday night, correspondents said. | Radio amateurs also reported picking up downlink transmissions from the rover on Wednesday night, correspondents said. |
'Little rabbit' | |
The rover is part of China's Chang'e-3 mission, which is designed to test new technologies, gather scientific data and build intellectual expertise. | |
The malfunction emerged in late January, before the rover entered its scheduled dormancy period, Xinhua reported at the time. | The malfunction emerged in late January, before the rover entered its scheduled dormancy period, Xinhua reported at the time. |
The rover had been scheduled to become dormant for 14 days during the lunar night, when there would be no sunlight to power its solar panel, reports said. | |
Experts are still trying to work out what caused the malfunction, Xinhua said. | |
News of the rover generated massive discussion on Chinese social media, with the term "Jade Rabbit" becoming the most searched term on Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging platform. | |
Users expressed happiness at the news the rover, which many called "the rabbit", was awake. | |
"The little rabbit deliberately woke up today, so it can enjoy Valentine's Day and the Lantern Festival [on Friday]," user Big Belly Onion Knight Mars wrote. |