Introduction

HELSINKI — China’s Yutu-2 rover, a key player in the first-ever mission to the moon's far side, may have reached the end of its journey. Recent images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) suggest that the solar-powered rover, which has been exploring the Von Kármán crater since its landing on January 3, 2019, might now be immobile.

Mission Details

Launched as part of the Chang’e-4 mission in late 2018, Yutu-2 has traveled a remarkable 1,613 meters across the moon's surface. However, a troubling report highlights that it has seemingly remained stationary since March 2024. Phil Stooke, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario, has tracked the rover's movements through regular imaging from the LRO. He noted, “Unfortunately, there has been very little motion in the last year and apparently none at all since March 2024.”

Movement Analysis

Stooke's observations reveal a concerning trend: up until February 2023, Yutu-2 was moving an average of 40 meters per lunar day. Yet, this speed dwindled dramatically, with movements recently dropping to just 1 or 2 meters per day, leading to its current standstill near a small crater.

Current Status and Speculations

Despite its immobility, reports as of September 2024 confirm that the 140-kilogram rover is still operational. However, the lack of updates from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) regarding the status of either Yutu-2 or the Chang’e-4 lander raises eyebrows in the scientific community.

Possible Causes for Halting

The reasons behind the rover’s halt remain elusive. Initially, Stooke speculated that connectivity issues with the Queqiao relay satellite, which has been low on maneuvering fuel, were to blame. Although a new satellite was successfully launched to assist with the recent Chang’e-6 mission, the anticipated acceleration in mobility for Yutu-2 did not materialize, implying that it might face mechanical issues.

Challenges of Lunar Conditions

The moon’s harsh conditions, including extreme temperature variations, radiation, and abrasive lunar regolith, pose significant risks to lunar missions. The Yutu-2 rover, designed for a mere three-month lifespan, has outdone its predecessor, the Yutu (Jade Rabbit), by becoming the longest-lived lunar rover to date, outpacing even the Soviet Union’s Lunokhod rovers.

Scientific Contributions

While resting in Von Kármán crater, Yutu-2 has made groundbreaking discoveries, including identifying materials believed to be from the moon’s mantle and gathering insights into the geology of the South Pole–Aitken Basin. This data is invaluable for understanding the moon's history and composition and for paving the way for future lunar missions.

Future Lunar Missions

China’s ambitious lunar exploration strategy consists of multiple planned missions, with the Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 missions slated for 2026 and 2028. These missions are not just exploratory in nature; they are part of a larger goal to establish an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the 2030s, which aims to host astronauts on the moon as early as 2030.

Conclusion

As we wait for updates on Yutu-2’s status and the future of China’s lunar program, the scientific community continues to watch closely, hoping for new insights that may emerge from the rover’s incredible journey.