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LOCATIONVon Karman Crater
LAT-45.44°
LON177.63°
DISTANCE TRAVELED1.5 km
DAYS ACTIVE2,000
ACTIVE
1.5
KM TRAVELED
TOTAL DISTANCE
0.93 mi
2,000
DAYS
AND COUNTING
5,000
PHOTOS
IMAGES CAPTURED
140
KG
ROVER MASS
309 lbs
0.2 km/h
TOP SPEED
MAXIMUM VELOCITY
Yutu-2 is a moon rover by CNSA. Landed January 3, 2019. Operating at Von Karman Crater. Has traveled 1.5 km.
ABOUT YUTU-2
Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit 2) is the first rover to operate on the far side of the Moon, part of the Chang’e 4 mission. Landing in Von Karman crater within the massive South Pole-Aitken Basin on January 3, 2019, it has traveled over 1.5 km and has become the longest-operating lunar rover in history. Communication is relayed through the Queqiao satellite positioned at the Earth-Moon L2 point. Its key discovery has been the detection of materials likely originating from the lunar mantle, exposed by the ancient South Pole-Aitken impact.
KEY DISCOVERIES
- Detected mantle material (olivine and pyroxene) on far side surface
- Subsurface structure revealed to be more complex than near side
- Identified gel-like glassy material in small impact crater
- Measured radiation environment on lunar far side
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- First rover to operate on the far side of the Moon
- Uses Queqiao relay satellite at Earth-Moon L2 for communications
- Longest-operating lunar rover in history
- Explored interior of Von Karman crater within South Pole-Aitken Basin
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (5)
Panoramic camera
Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR)
Visible/Near-IR Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS)
Advanced Small Analyzer for Neutrals (ASAN, Swedish)
Lunar Neutron and Dosimetry (LND, German)
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Wheels6
Mass140 kg (309 lbs)
Dimensions1.5m long, 1.0m wide, 1.1m tall
Top Speed0.2 km/h
PowerSolar panels + radioisotope heater units (140W)
CommunicationsRelay via Queqiao satellite (Earth-Moon L2 halo orbit)
Design Life3 months
Landing DateJanuary 3, 2019
ProgramChinese Lunar Exploration