Chinese Lunar Lander to Carry Telescope to the Moon
This is interesting, a US-based non-profit organization cooperates with the Chinese space agency while the US Congress bans it with NASA. Time for the ban to be lifted. Even NASA’s head suggests cooperation would be in both countries’ interests.
The International Lunar Observatory Association, an ambitious Waimea nonprofit that has plans to plant a telescope on the moon, is taking a big step forward on Tuesday with the signing of an agreement with the Chinese space agency.
In recent years, the ILOA has been taking small, quiet steps toward its ultimate goal. This week, the group will invite a delegation of dignitaries and scientists from China’s National Astronomical Observatories to its headquarters in Waimea.
The meeting is being held in advance of next year’s moon landing — the first soft lunar landing since 1976 — of China’s Chang’e-3 moon lander and rover. The lander will have a 6-inch diameter telescope that will take images in the ultraviolet wavelengths.
The agreement will allow the ILOA-sponsored Galaxy Forum program to use images of the core of the Milky Way from the telescope in local classrooms. In exchange, the Chinese will be able to reserve time on two of ILOA’s own space-bound telescopes when they arrive on the moon, perhaps in 2014 or 2015, depending on the availability of funding.
– Hawaii Tribune-Herald