Comments on: Imaging the Man on the Moon http://www.j2fi.net/2007/05/23/imaging-the-man-on-the-moon/ Yet Another Gaijin In Japan Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:32:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Brian http://www.j2fi.net/2007/05/23/imaging-the-man-on-the-moon/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Brian Sat, 26 May 2007 22:06:14 +0000 http://www.j2fi.net/2007/05/23/imaging-the-man-on-the-moon/#comment-113 What I'm thinking is that China might lack the infrastructure comparable to JPL. JPL is good because of funding but also because they've been in business for a long time - much institutional excellence there. Enthusiasm counts for a lot but so does experience. What I’m thinking is that China might lack the infrastructure comparable to JPL. JPL is good because of funding but also because they’ve been in business for a long time - much institutional excellence there.

Enthusiasm counts for a lot but so does experience.

]]> By: Jason http://www.j2fi.net/2007/05/23/imaging-the-man-on-the-moon/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Jason Fri, 25 May 2007 18:16:39 +0000 http://www.j2fi.net/2007/05/23/imaging-the-man-on-the-moon/#comment-112 I considered that, but when you look at the complexity involved with sending something to another planet I had figured it would be easier to plan for a one-way trip. This would also reduce the amount of payload required as software is usually cheaper than rocket fuel. Of course, this would be some very complicated software that would undboutedly require much more processing power than is potentially being planned (which could increase the weight of the rocket, anyways). Though given the amount of time between now and when the instrument is expected to land, I had figured China would go all out in an effort to prove something to the world. That said, similar to the comment made on my post regarding NASA's Orion Project, it's likely not in China's mandate to jump-start an industry. I considered that, but when you look at the complexity involved with sending something to another planet I had figured it would be easier to plan for a one-way trip. This would also reduce the amount of payload required as software is usually cheaper than rocket fuel.

Of course, this would be some very complicated software that would undboutedly require much more processing power than is potentially being planned (which could increase the weight of the rocket, anyways). Though given the amount of time between now and when the instrument is expected to land, I had figured China would go all out in an effort to prove something to the world.

That said, similar to the comment made on my post regarding NASA’s Orion Project, it’s likely not in China’s mandate to jump-start an industry.

]]> By: Brian http://www.j2fi.net/2007/05/23/imaging-the-man-on-the-moon/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Brian Fri, 25 May 2007 16:58:17 +0000 http://www.j2fi.net/2007/05/23/imaging-the-man-on-the-moon/#comment-111 <i>What I find odd, though, is this return to Earth. </i> Just a thought - the degree of automation required for an autonomous mission might be beyond the current Chinese/Russian state of art. Or it could be too expensive to built it into this mission. What I find odd, though, is this return to Earth.

Just a thought - the degree of automation required for an autonomous mission might be beyond the current Chinese/Russian state of art. Or it could be too expensive to built it into this mission.

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