China's Nuclear Rover Will Sample the Moon

HansonMB writes "After launching on one of the nation's Long March rockets and a three-day transit, Chang'E 3 will reach the Moon and enter into a 62 mile orbit. Once settled, the 2,645 pound lander will separate from the roughly 8,200 pound spacecraft and descend into a highly elliptical orbit 62 by 9.5 miles above the surface." Russia wants a taste, too, and plans a moon-sampling mission set for 2015.

Comments

Re:How do RTGs work?

[nedlohs]

All I can guess is that it doesn't provide enough power, and they are either powering down some components during the night or charging batteries during the day?

But I'm guessing without even reading the summary.