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Japan Scrapping Moon Mission
jonerik writes to mention the AP is reporting that Japan may be scrapping their upcoming moon mission. The original plan was for the "Lunar-A" probe to implant two seismic sensors on the moon, however, the project took so long that the delivery probe has fallen victim to neglect and would take too much money to repair. From the article: "The mission would have been Japan's first to the surface of the moon, and was originally scheduled for lift off in 1995. [...] JAXA's space development committee recommended canceling the Lunar-A project on Monday, and a final decision will be made later in the month, [Satoko] Kanazawa said."
They realized that the on-going battle between the Japanese Security Services and Godzilla was diminishing their funds too quickly to afford the moon mission. There are plans for a Mothra powered earth orbit rentery rocket, but the spacesuit for a 400' wingspan moth is also too costly. Ultraman is unable to go more than 14.7km up, due to his 70's early technology.
Son't they know it's easier to just fake a moon mission?
...that even the Japanese can fail to make delivery deadlines and have productivity problems.
Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
Karma: Chameleon
if you are laying this rocket up to be unused for more than six months:
1) Park in a well aired garage
2) Jack up the body and put chocks under the suspension points
3) Fill all cylinders with a good quality mineral oil
4) Unplug and remove the battery
5) Be prepared to replace perished rubber components such as tyres or suspension bushes if unused for more that one year
What bit do you think the Japanese left out?
Next time they won't keep the probe in the U-Pack-It long term storage garages in Kobe.
Or at least put a tarp over it or something.
Hey, any landing you can walk away from is a good... What's that, unmanned probe. Completely destroyed you say. Never mind.
"Oh drat these computers, they're so naughty and so complex. I could pinch them."
Marvin the Martian
After the super successful launch of the PS3 why doesn't the Japanese space agency just contract the job out to Sony!
Japan will now scrap the mission but finish development of the penetrator probes and offer the technology to other space programs, including Russia's, Kanazawa said.
Only in Japan...
In Other News, The Canadian Government has announced its plans for a similar mission to take place, which is going to be called "Lunar-eh"
Film at 11.
Landings are an important subject in learning to fly. My instructor told me they are so important, they include at least one in every flying lesson.
There is no God, and Dirac is his prophet.