China satellite enters moon orbit

[lovuian]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/11/05/china.orbit.ap/index.html

A Chinese satellite successfully entered lunar orbit Monday, a month after rival Japan put its own probe into orbit around the moon, but Chinese officials denied there was any competition between the two nations.
art.china.orbit.gi.jpg

China's first lunar probe Chang'e 1 launched on October 24.

Chinese space officials said the Chang'e 1 satellite, part of the country's ambitious space exploration plans, entered lunar orbit after completing a planned braking operation.

China plans to keep the Chang'e 1 -- named after a mythical Chinese goddess who flew to the moon -- there for one year, about the same length of time as Japan's probe. China launched its satellite late last month, while Japan put its satellite into space in September.

The timing of the launches raises the prospect of a space rivalry between the two Asian nations, with India possibly joining in if it carries through on a plan to send its own lunar probe into space in April.
more...

Japan and Now China all have satellites around the moon
wheres US

[Junkdrawer]

1. Look, the 21st Century will be the Chinese Century...

We sent most of our manufacturing business their way. All this PNAC stuff is a desperate attempt of our ruling classes to maintain their power in the face of the economic realities THEY created.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. our aging truck/sedan/bus combo is too important.

forget about cheap, dedicated heavy lift machines.
forget about dedicated human carriers, smaller, cheaper, safer.


Hey, at least our NASA gets instructions on how to talk about global warming, pollution, and the age of the universe. Japan's and China's space orgs don't have that kind of hands on guidance from their political leaders, do they? Be grateful that our leaders care so much.

[lovuian]

3. I haven't seen any photos from their satellites

wonder why?