China: Problems on the Moon

After a successful landing on the moon last December, the Chinese rover Yutu ("Jade Rabbit') has experienced some "mechanical control abnormalities" during a routine power-down, according to ReutersNews. The little rover and the Chang'e 3 probe that took it to the moon's surface is a significant accomplishment for the Chinese nation, though this latest difficulty could certainly threaten the scientific benefits of the mission. 

Just prior to the rover problems, the Chinese Academy ofSpace Technology was inventorying the scientific successes thus far (as noted in the news story in English.news.cn):

The probe radar has surveyed the moon's surface and collected two sets of data about the structure of lunar soil beneath the surface within 140 meters and 10 meters respectively, the statement said.

 The panoramic camera and infrared spectrograph have sent back clear images of the moon's surface and data collected by a particle X-ray device has helped scientists identify 11 types of chemical elements such as magnesium, aluminum, calcium and yttrium on the moon, it added.

 Data collected from observations of the plasmasphere over the Earth will provide more information about the impact of solar activities to the Earth, according to the statement.

Another story from English.news.cn was quick to point out that such lunar failures were not unprecedented: 

 Lunar probe mission failure is not rare. In April 1962, the U.S. lunar probe Ranger 4 crashed into the dark side of the Moon after equipment failure prevented it from returning pictures and scientific data. 

Japan launched a lunar probe in 1990, which soon moved off course. It failed to transmit any data and crashed into the Moon in 1993.

India managed to send a lunar probe into space in 2008, but an equipment in the main craft malfunctioned several months later, leading to the loss of contact with the unmanned spacecraft.

Of course one can also read about these problems and quickly note that China has only progressed to where the United States was 52 years ago, but I don't think that was the story's intent.  Nonetheless, for the same of science, let's hope the little rabbit is bouncing around again real soon.