Chang′e 4 Lunar Rover Yutu 2

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Change 4 lander on the moon.

Change 4 rover on the moon on.

Description:

• The mission is carrying a suite of instruments designed to monitor the environment on the Moon′s far side.
• In addition, there is a small artificial biosphere onboard, which carries a variety of plant and animal life.In turn, the plants will provide oxygen for the silkworms. If all goes well, the experiment hopes to demonstrate a synergy between the plants and insects, which could provide valuable for growth of food and provision of oxygen on future manned space missions. The first flowers are expected to bloom in around 3 month′s time.
• The instruments carries onboard Yutu 2 are:
  • Panoramic Camera (PCAM) is a panoramic camera that resembles a set of cute little eyes fitted on the rover′s mast. It can produce 3D images by use of its binocular cameras.
  • Visible and Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS), used for the identification of surface materials and atmospheric trace gases (because contrary to popular belief, there is an atmosphere on the Moon…it′s just very small, extending an inch or two off the surface.)
  • Lunar penetrating radar (LPR), a ground penetrating radar. Like GPR on Earth, it is used to examine sub-surface structures and any changes in materials refractivity, which can potentially show any mineral deposits under the surface.
  • Advanced Small Analyzer for Neutrals (ASAN) is an energetic neutral atom analyzer and is designed to find out how solar wind interacts with the Moon′s surface.

Mission details:

• The rover, named as Yutu 2 after its predecessor Yutu on the previous Chang′e mission, was successfully deployed some 12 hours after Chang′e 4 landed.

The first image below shows Yutu 2 rolling off the Chang′e 4 lander. (Image credit: CNSA)

Yutu 2 rover on the moon. (Image credit: CNSA)

Close-up of Yutu 2 wheel. (Image credit: CNSA)