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Moon shot: Toyota, Japan space agency plan lunar mission

13 Comments
By Robyn Beck

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13 Comments
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One thing though. Why are moon missions relevant now? Only cause the Chinese claim they reached there? Moon landing was in the 60s and we are in 2019, why hasn't there been any missions for that period of time? technology is way advanced now then in the past.

You actually answered your own question. Advances in technology, especially robotics, means that missions can now be performed by robots or semi-autonomous rovers, and are a lot cheaper without the added cost of having to keep humans alive. This is what has enabled us to travel to Mars, even though we lack the ability to safely send a human there.

With regards to the moon, what would we actually send a human there to do which couldn't also be performed by a machine? There is really not much to do there yet other than explore, so much better to send a low risk rover mission than a human who could quite easily die.

Once space agencies/companies get serious about sending humans to Mars, probably that's when you'll start seeing manned missions to the moon again, so that it can be used as a staging/fueling base for deeper space.

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Seth MToday 08:55 am JST@starpunk China didn't find Pink Floyd there

The Chinese lander landed in one spot, one location on the 'dark side' of a big moon. It needs to search for action/activity and listen for a sound. Is there any electrical power being used? Any lights? Laser beams? Sound? Pink Floyd may be there! Gotta keep looking.

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@starpunk China didn't find Pink Floyd there

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Starpunk, maybe, but they’d also get to see what the Chinese are doing there.

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If they land on the lunar dark side, Pink Floyd may be there to greet them ; )

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Its not a rabbit but a hare, symbol of the goddess Eostre!

If Musk can send a Tesla why not just send a Prius? :)

In all seriousness I have my reservations about the 2030 date for an astronaut going to the moon, it is a far more complex operation than sending a robot, it requires a lot more kit to keep them alive all of which needs developing and testing, which therefore necessitates a far more powerful rocket than Japan currently has, which will require developement and testing.

Unless it is going to just be a flag waving boots on the moon exercise (which is a waste of money) it requires a plan for why you are going, what you are going to do and for any real purpose, how you will sustain the ongoing programme, another words a base and sustainable logistics. Otherwise it is just an expensive tourist trip with flags.

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We will finally be able to prove that the Rabbit in the Moon is real.  Its not a Man in the Moon.

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The Rover in front is a Toyota.

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Best wishes for the team!

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Don't shoot the Moon in South Korea.

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One thing though. Why are moon missions relevant now? Only cause the Chinese claim they reached there? Moon landing was in the 60s and we are in 2019, why hasn't there been any missions for that period of time? technology is way advanced now then in the past.

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The new Toyota Supra can get there

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In 2017, Japan revealed plans to put an astronaut on the moon around 2030.

I'm hoping that is just half the mission. Bringing him/her back to Earth shouldn't be a minor detail. ;) Needs to be part of the core plan.

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