China's scientific expedition to the Moon has sent back its first photos of the lunar surface. A robot called the Jade Rabbit became the first vehicle to traverse the Moon's volcanic ash since America's Apollo missions four decades ago. Scientists at China's mission control were ecstatic as the first high-quality images came through of an area of the Moon known as the Bay of Rainbows. The photos showed the rover with theChinese flag clearly visible against the dark of space. Jade Rabbit is expected to test soil samples ahead of the possible mining of the Moon's rocks and minerals. A Chinese scientist said: "China's lunar programme is an important component of mankind's activities to explore the peaceful use of space."
中國月球科學之旅發(fā)回了來自月球表面的首張照片。自從美國阿波羅探月任務40年之后,這個名叫“玉兔”的機器人成為了首個能夠跨越火山灰的月球車。當高質(zhì)量圖片經(jīng)過月球彩虹灣傳到地面時,中國控制中心的科學家興奮不已。插著中國國旗的月球車在黑色背景下清晰可見。玉兔將有望檢測土壤狀況,未來還有可能對月球巖石和礦產(chǎn)進行開采。中國科學家稱:“中國的月球計劃是人類探索有用空間等人類活動的重要組成部分。
The South China Morning Post described the Moon landing as a landmark achievement in Chinese history. It wrote: "The world long ago sat up and took notice of China's rapid rise as a space power….But nothing compares with the scientific and technological significance of the landing on the moon at 9.12 on Saturday night." It said the mission, "has transformed China's dream of putting a man on the moon into a given; soonerrather than later". China's science fiction writers are also overjoyed with their country's success. Chen Qiufan described his vision of the future, saying: "I think everything will look differently when a Chinese person looks at Earth from the Moon." He added: "I expect that day will come."
《南華早報》將這次登月描述成為了中國歷史上的壯舉。文章寫到:“很長時間以來,全球都在注意著中國不斷增長的太空實力。但是沒有什么能夠與周六晚間9點12分月球車登陸月球的科學和技術成就相提并論。”報道稱這些任務已經(jīng)改變了中國希望將人類送上月球的夢想,夢想即將實現(xiàn)。”中國科幻作家也對這次成功登月感到歡欣鼓舞。陳楸帆描述了自己對未來的展望,稱:“當中國人站在月球上看地球時,我想,一切將不再一樣。”他還說:“我希望那一天將會到來。”