China has named the lunar rover, successfully deployed on Thursday to carry out a string of experiments on the far side of the moon, as ‘Yutu-2’. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the Yutu-2 touched the lunar surface at 10:22 p.m. local time on Thursday, leaving a trace on the loose lunar soil. The rover’s touchdown is part of China Chang’e-4 lunar probe. Analysts say that China’s lunar probe is part of its ‘Made in China-2025’ project, which focuses on advanced technology, including space applications. Homegrown GPSIt follows the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System — China’s homegrown Global Positioning System that started worldwide service last month.

Source: The Hindu January 04, 2019 16:30 UTC