China's second moon orbiter Chang'e-2 goes to outer space

The orbiter finished its mission around the Moon.
They are now sending it to Lagrangian point L2

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/a521ff26586c.jpg[/atsimg]

I find it quite funny that they decided to sent it there. Do they think some other nation has already sent some secret probe over ? Or maybe they will just post a flag, who knows.

news.xinhuanet.com

A couple of reasons

1. A sense of accomplishment
2. Testing of equipment

It's a proving ground kind of thing.. and builds confidence that they know what they are doing.

Originally posted by miniatus
A couple of reasons

1. A sense of accomplishment
2. Testing of equipment

It's a proving ground kind of thing.. and builds confidence that they know what they are doing.

This is my take on it. It will be interesting to watch China progress. I'm still undecided on how far behind China is in military/space tech.

Originally posted by freakjive

Originally posted by miniatus
A couple of reasons

1. A sense of accomplishment
2. Testing of equipment

It's a proving ground kind of thing.. and builds confidence that they know what they are doing.

This is my take on it. It will be interesting to watch China progress. I'm still undecided on how far behind China is in military/space tech.

I have read several articles here lately saying about 20 yrs behind us.

Originally posted by chevy369

I have read several articles here lately saying about 20 yrs behind us.

Yes, and I think that's what a lot of the local experts here say as well. I just can't dismiss that China's military hasn't been producing black budget type projects for decades.

China's tech in most things comes from Russia, and is inferior to everything Russian. This started after WW II ended.

Originally posted by freakjive

This is my take on it. It will be interesting to watch China progress. I'm still undecided on how far behind China is in military/space tech.

I am of the camp that China is still just copying tech of the West and Russia. I haven't seen them have any groundbreaking discoveries or inventions on their own. I think they are a bunch of copy cats rather than innovators and leading edge tech. Still can do a lot being a copy cat, you are just never in the lead.

The wankel engine used only by Mazda in cars was a British invention.

Both the Russian and America's space exploration was developed by Germans, but an American invented the first liquid fueled rocket in 1926.

A Jew created the first 'Bomb'.

Arabs invented Algebra.

The Chinese are credited with inventing gunpowder.

It's not always what you invent, but how you develop it, and use it.