description Yutu-2 rover Overview
Yutu-2 is a robotic lunar rover that operates on the far side of the Moon as part of the Chinese Chang'e 4 mission. Launched in December 2018, it successfully landed in the Von Kármán crater on January 3, 2019. The six-wheeled, 140-kilogram rover became the first spacecraft to soft-land and explore the lunar far side. It utilizes a radioisotope heater unit to survive the extreme cold of lunar nights and continues to conduct surface composition analyses.
insights Ranking position
Yutu-2 rover ranks #21 of 100 in the Spacecraft ranking, behind SpaceX Cargo Dragon, ahead of Mercury Freedom 7.
help Yutu-2 rover FAQ
Why is Yutu-2 called the first rover on the Moon's far side?
Chang'e 4 landed in the Von Karman crater in January 2019 and deployed Yutu-2 there. No earlier spacecraft had achieved a soft landing and surface rover operation on the lunar far side.
How can China communicate with Yutu-2 from the far side?
The Moon blocks direct radio contact with Earth from Yutu-2's location. China uses the Queqiao relay satellite to pass communications between the rover, lander, and ground controllers.
What instruments does Yutu-2 use on the Moon?
Its instruments include cameras, a lunar penetrating radar, and a visible and near-infrared imaging spectrometer. These tools examine surface geology and material beneath the rover's route.
Are Yutu-2 and the original Yutu rover part of the same mission?
No. The first Yutu traveled with Chang'e 3 to the Moon's near side in 2013, while Yutu-2 arrived with Chang'e 4 in 2019.
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