4 ms·

This is a massive accomplishment that might very well mark an inflection point for China. While countries like the US haven't really done anything in the last

This is a massive accomplishment that might very well mark an inflection point for China. While countries like the US haven't really done anything in the last few decades to truly inspire the population --kids in particular-- here's China executing a feat of engineering that will surely serve as inspiration for their young. And, of course, this is probably the first of many. Timing, of course, couldn't be better. The Chinese have managed their country admirably. No debt to speak of. Massive investment in infrastructure, technology and manufacturing capabilities. An environment where entrepreneurship is top dog and government seems to pretty much stay out of their way. And, of course, they are also ingesting massive amounts of intellectual and financial capital from the rest of the world. Some have proposed this is going to inspire or push us to compete in this arena. I'll propose that will not happen at the same scale the Chinese are building-up to. Think of it this way: We have to actually borrow money from the Chinese to compete with them. I'll leave you with that thought.

yapcguy 13y ago
Bingo. It will inspire millions. Science wins. "“Firstly, the moon is remote from us, and there is no clear short-term benefit for human beings,” says space scientist Yongchun Zheng of the National Astronomical Observatories in Beijing, by email. But for China, he says, “the lunar exploration program is driven by its science goals. That is, to understand the history and prospect the future of the Moon, the Earth, and our solar system.” ... “The implementation of China’s Lunar Exploration Program can drive forward the popularization, improve accomplishment of national science, and attract and encourage the youth to fall in love with science and seek after exploration and innovation,” they wrote." http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131214-chinese-moon-rover-jade-science-landing-space/ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131214-chine...
dingaling 13y ago
And it's not just inspirational; the Lunar descent stage used today is completely over-specified for the job of delivering the small Youtou rover. There is speculation that it is actually a common descent stage design which will be used in upcoming science-orientated Moon landings. For example, emplacing a substantial telescope. The Chinese, as seems usual now, are playing the long-game.
Alphasite_ 13y ago
Last few decades? I'm certainly not american, but there have been 3 mars missions in the last 5 years, an orbiter, a rover and a lander, the latest of which launched less than a month ago. Why are people so quick to write off their own achievements?
- robomartin 13y ago
  Not writing off achievements. These are simply not inspiring people the way the Chinese are being inspired today just by going to the moon. That's all. At some level Mars is as intangible of asking someone to understand how a bird feels while flying. Outside of small circles there's no real appreciation for just how difficult these missions are. Therefore, the sense of awe isn't there. I'll bet most people in the US don't understand why you can't drive the robots on Mars like you do an RC car on the street. Yes, I am hinting at other problems. I am not sure what the ROI of robotic or manned missions to Mars might be. And I am not necessarily in financial terms.
pjc50 13y ago
government seems to pretty much stay out of their way. Not exactly - it's a low regulation environment, but there are huge centrally planned real estate developments and far less planning regulation or due process to stop the government building a road or a mall through your house. Not to mention the capital controls, and the restrictions on foreign-owned businesses, the lack of free speech or free internet ..
JoeAltmaier 13y ago
At some cost; weren't record-breaking levels of air pollution recorded somewhere recently? Takes some shine off of the claim of good management.
ttflee 13y ago
> While countries like the US haven't really done anything in the last few decades At least, US and Europe have got Mars rovers into working, with failure and success.

yapcguy 13y ago

Bingo. It will inspire millions. Science wins. "“Firstly, the moon is remote from us, and there is no clear short-term benefit for human beings,” says space scientist Yongchun Zheng of the National Astronomical Observatories in Beijing, by email. But for China, he says, “the lunar exploration program is driven by its science goals. That is, to understand the history and prospect the future of the Moon, the Earth, and our solar system.” ... “The implementation of China’s Lunar Exploration Program can drive forward the popularization, improve accomplishment of national science, and attract and encourage the youth to fall in love with science and seek after exploration and innovation,” they wrote." http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131214-chinese-moon-rover-jade-science-landing-space/ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131214-chine...

dingaling 13y ago

And it's not just inspirational; the Lunar descent stage used today is completely over-specified for the job of delivering the small Youtou rover. There is speculation that it is actually a common descent stage design which will be used in upcoming science-orientated Moon landings. For example, emplacing a substantial telescope. The Chinese, as seems usual now, are playing the long-game.

Alphasite_ 13y ago

Last few decades? I'm certainly not american, but there have been 3 mars missions in the last 5 years, an orbiter, a rover and a lander, the latest of which launched less than a month ago. Why are people so quick to write off their own achievements?

robomartin 13y ago
Not writing off achievements. These are simply not inspiring people the way the Chinese are being inspired today just by going to the moon. That's all. At some level Mars is as intangible of asking someone to understand how a bird feels while flying. Outside of small circles there's no real appreciation for just how difficult these missions are. Therefore, the sense of awe isn't there. I'll bet most people in the US don't understand why you can't drive the robots on Mars like you do an RC car on the street. Yes, I am hinting at other problems. I am not sure what the ROI of robotic or manned missions to Mars might be. And I am not necessarily in financial terms.

pjc50 13y ago

government seems to pretty much stay out of their way. Not exactly - it's a low regulation environment, but there are huge centrally planned real estate developments and far less planning regulation or due process to stop the government building a road or a mall through your house. Not to mention the capital controls, and the restrictions on foreign-owned businesses, the lack of free speech or free internet ..

JoeAltmaier 13y ago

At some cost; weren't record-breaking levels of air pollution recorded somewhere recently? Takes some shine off of the claim of good management.

ttflee 13y ago

> While countries like the US haven't really done anything in the last few decades At least, US and Europe have got Mars rovers into working, with failure and success.