China is developing a atomic powered Moon rover for an unmanned exploration mission in 2012.
The six-wheeled rover is 1.5 m high and weigh 200 kg. It is designed to transmit video in real time, dig for and analyse soil samples, and produce 3D images of the lunar surface. The rover looks similar to Nasa's Spirit and Opportunity Mars explorers launched in 2003 and are still in operation. China plans to send an unmanned space ship to orbit the moon this year. The rover mission is next and a manned lunar voyage is planned for some time after 2017.
Source: The Nation: 3 Apr 07; Associated Press
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