Go China! As an american, I hope China keeps pushing the boundaries on their space program - maybe we'll then decide to invest in science and space exploration again.
Anyone else a little surprised that we hadn't heard anything about this mission earlier? I didn't really know that China was even planning on landing probes on the Moon. Kind of a big contrast to SpaceX, say, who seems to publish a press release or at least a tweet about everything they have done and are planning to do. Not that I mind, it's cool to read about what they're working on. I suppose if the Chinese space program is publishing much about it's plans, it doesn't make it into English-language media most of the time.
This is a massive accomplishment that might very well mark an inflection point for China. While countries like the US haven't really done anything in the last few decades to truly inspire the population --kids in particular-- here's China executing a feat of engineering that will surely serve as inspiration for their young. And, of course, this is probably the first of many.<p>Timing, of course, couldn't be better. The Chinese have managed their country admirably. No debt to speak of. Massive investment in infrastructure, technology and manufacturing capabilities. An environment where entrepreneurship is top dog and government seems to pretty much stay out of their way. And, of course, they are also ingesting massive amounts of intellectual and financial capital from the rest of the world.<p>Some have proposed this is going to inspire or push us to compete in this arena. I'll propose that will not happen at the same scale the Chinese are building-up to. Think of it this way: We have to actually borrow money from the Chinese to compete with them. I'll leave you with that thought.
It should be their top priority to drive over to the U.S. landing site and send back proof that we actually went to the moon. I atleast want to see what the flag and other things look like now. :)
My wife's comment: "That's because the Chinese are the only ones with any money to have a space program". Very true dear, very true.
So Chang'e carries a Jade Rabbit to the moon. The consequence of thousands of years of cultural fascination with the moon is that there sure are a lot of things to name moon-bound spacecraft after.
Just when i thought quadcopters were cool ... I can see how, with a little chinese-fu magic the chinese could make space travel commodity. Or at least moon-droning. Certainly looking forward to pay a (short) visit to the first moon colony.
While America is wasting billions on waging wars and funding failures like Obamacare, other nations are advancing their science! China's next destination is Mars! I'm sure they will get there well before Mars One, which keeps pushing their dates further in the future!