A new report on the activities of China’s Yuto 2 probe on the surface of the moon has been published

On the occasion of the traditional Mid-Moon celebration in China, the China Space Agency has released new images of the Yuto 2 probe. These images, taken during the Von Karmann Crater exploratory mission in the Antarctic-Aitken Basin (one of the largest impact basins on the Moon), reveal new details of the lunar surface.

According to Tekna Technology Media Astronomy News Service, the images sent from Yuto 2 show the tracks of the rover’s wheels on the regolith (moon soil), numerous craters of different sizes and moon hills. Also, based on these images, Yuto 2 has traveled a distance of 1613 meters on the surface of the moon. However, analysis of telemetry data shows that Yuto 2’s movement speed has decreased in recent years. By September 2022, this probe had traveled a distance of about 4265 meters; But in the last two years, only 315 meters have been added to this distance.

The main cause of Yoto 2’s slow motion has not yet been precisely determined. Factors such as the gradual erosion of the probe’s mechanical components due to the harsh environmental conditions of the moon, the increase in the complexity of the mission, or the uneven nature of the moon’s surface in the studied area, can be effective in this decrease in speed. It is worth noting that other Chinese space equipment is still active on the moon. The Chang’e 3 lander, which landed on the near side of the moon in 2013, is still operational and its optical telescope operates regularly. Also, two orbiters Chuqiao and Chuqiao 2 are in the lunar orbit to support China’s space missions. China has long-term plans to explore the moon. The Chang’e 7 mission, which is planned for 2026, will aim to investigate the South Pole of the Moon.

To see the latest news, refer to the scientific news page of Tekna Media.