<p>Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side. The object looks like a mini rover. Its purpose?&nbsp;Unknown.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/warren-buffett-likens-ai-to-nuclear-weapons-warns-genie-part-way-out-of-the-bottle-718910">Warren Buffett likens AI to nuclear weapons, warns 'genie part way out of the bottle'</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>'Previously undisclosed mini rover'</strong></h2>

<p>Taking to X, previously Twitter, Andrew Jones, a journalist closely tracking China's space programme, wrote in a post, "Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander lol. Via CAST: <a href="https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw">https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw</a> <a href="https://t.co/9vvTnribpl">pic.twitter.com/9vvTnribpl</a></p>
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1786353438806217036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>What will the mini rover do? No one knows yet.</p>

<p>As per a Live Science report, a translated statement from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics revealed that the small robot has an infrared imaging spectrometer. Its purpose, however, remains unclear. But, given its small size and the conditions it will face on the Moon, SpaceNews predicts that whatever the mission, it will fall short.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-fossil-shows-birds-are-officially-dinosaurs-718968">Ancient fossil shows birds are officially dinosaurs</a></strong></p>

<p>"Given the diminutive size of the vehicle and short lifetime of the mission lander, it is likely the rover will have limited operational time and objectives."</p>

<h2><strong>Previous sneaky space missions by China</strong></h2>

<p>According to SpaceNews, this is not the first time China has sneaked undisclosed payloads onto its spacecraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, in 2021, during China's Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, the nation's spacecraft ejected a disposable spacecraft that took pictures of Tianwen-1 on its way to the red planet.</p>

<p>The Tianwen-1 orbiter was also equipped with another detachable camera that took selfies while in orbit around Mars.</p>

<p>Further, the Zhurong rover, that was&nbsp;part of the Tianwen-1 mission, also dropped a camera on&nbsp;the red planet.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover. After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side.

Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover. After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side. The object looks like a mini rover. Its purpose? Unknown. Also read | Warren Buffett likens AI to nuclear weapons, warns 'genie part way out of the bottle' 'Previously undisclosed mini rover' Taking to X, previously Twitter, Andrew Jones, a journalist closely tracking China's space programme, wrote in a post, "Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander". Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander lol. Via CAST: https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw pic.twitter.com/9vvTnribpl — Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) May 3, 2024 × What will the mini rover do? No one knows yet. As per a Live Science report, a translated statement from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics revealed that the small robot has an infrared imaging spectrometer. Its purpose, however, remains unclear. But, given its small size and the conditions it will face on the Moon, SpaceNews predicts that whatever the mission, it will fall short. Also read | Ancient fossil shows birds are officially dinosaurs "Given the diminutive size of the vehicle and short lifetime of the mission lander, it is likely the rover will have limited operational time and objectives." Previous sneaky space missions by China According to SpaceNews, this is not the first time China has sneaked undisclosed payloads onto its spacecraft. Previously, in 2021, during China's Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, the nation's spacecraft ejected a disposable spacecraft that took pictures of Tianwen-1 on its way to the red planet. The Tianwen-1 orbiter was also equipped with another detachable camera that took selfies while in orbit around Mars. Further, the Zhurong rover, that was part of the Tianwen-1 mission, also dropped a camera on the red planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Has China sent a secret rover to Moon? Internet sleuths spot small device piggybacking Chang'e-6

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<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is all set to take the next, and very crucial step in space exploration with their uncrewed Artemis I mission to Moon, which will launch on Monday (August 29). This is NASA's first mission to the moon in 50 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Artemis I will be on its maiden voyage on a mission to take humans back to the Moon, and eventually to Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The world will be watching the historic launch as all eyes will be on Launch Complex 39B when the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will lift off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hundreds and thousands of people will be watching the launch along the beaches of Florida, including United States Vice President Kamala Harris. Thousands of others will be streaming online to watch this launch that's been decades in the making.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/so-far-everything-looks-really-good-nasa-ahead-of-the-artemis-1-launch-510974">'So far, everything looks really good,' NASA ahead of the Artemis I launch</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Here's all you need to know about the historic launch of the Artemis I mission:&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Date of Artemis I launch&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Artemis I mission will be launched on Monday, August 29.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Time of Artemis I launch&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Artemis I mission is scheduled to launch at 8:33am EDT <strong>(around 6:00pm IST)&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>How to live stream Artemis I launch&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>To get the latest and most accurate updates, viewers can watch the live feed of the mission from NASA. The space agency will provide live footage of the mission as and when it happens.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Here's the link:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-court-upholds-spacexs-satellite-deployment-plan-at-lower-earth-orbit-510793">US court upholds SpaceX’s satellite deployment plan in lower Earth orbit</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Facts about Artemis I</strong></p>

<p>-Mission duration: 42 days, 3 hours, 20 minutes</p>

<p>-Total distance travelled: 1.3 million miles</p>

<p>-Re-entry speed: 24,500 mph (Mach 32)</p>

<p>-Splashdown: Oct. 10, 2022</p>

<p><strong>About Artemis I</strong></p>

<p>As humanity looks beyond planet Earth for life, NASA's Artemis I will be the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to build a long-term human presence on the Moon in the coming decades.</p>

<p>NASA administrator Bill Nelson said Saturday, "This mission goes with a lot of hopes and dreams of a lot of people. And we now are the Artemis generation."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The main objective of the flight is to test the SLS and the Orion crew capsule that sits atop the rocket. Also to demonstrate Orion's systems in a spaceflight environment and ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown and recovery before the first flight with crew on Artemis II.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The capsule will orbit the Moon to see if the vessel is safe for people in the near future.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🟢 Engines<br />
🟢 Solid Rocket Boosters<br />
🟢 Core Stage<br />
🟢 Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter<br />
🟢 Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage<br />
🟢 Orion Stage Adapter<br />
Get familiar with all the parts of the SLS rocket before launch by checking out our "Clickable Rocket" &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/r8FgfdcDQm">https://t.co/r8FgfdcDQm</a> <a href="https://t.co/iD5kohW8h5">pic.twitter.com/iD5kohW8h5</a></p>
— NASA_SLS (@NASA_SLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_SLS/status/1562077205932408836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Before <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_SLS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA_SLS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Orion?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA_Orion</a> lift off the pad for Artemis I, they are primed for launch with gaseous nitrogen and helium to pressurize their fuel tanks. In just a few short days, we will witness this animation come to life at <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAKennedy</a>. <a href="https://t.co/wG3Uqpe0TY">pic.twitter.com/wG3Uqpe0TY</a></p>
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAGroundSys/status/1562825447968489475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is all set to take the next, and very crucial step in space exploration with their uncrewed Artemis I mission to Moon, which will launch on Monday (August 29).

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is all set to take the next, and very crucial step in space exploration with their uncrewed Artemis I mission to Moon, which will launch on Monday (August 29). This is NASA's first mission to the moon in 50 years. Artemis I will be on its maiden voyage on a mission to take humans back to the Moon, and eventually to Mars. The world will be watching the historic launch as all eyes will be on Launch Complex 39B when the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will lift off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Hundreds and thousands of people will be watching the launch along the beaches of Florida, including United States Vice President Kamala Harris. Thousands of others will be streaming online to watch this launch that's been decades in the making. ALSO READ | 'So far, everything looks really good,' NASA ahead of the Artemis I launch Here's all you need to know about the historic launch of the Artemis I mission: Date of Artemis I launch Artemis I mission will be launched on Monday, August 29. Time of Artemis I launch Artemis I mission is scheduled to launch at 8:33am EDT (around 6:00pm IST) How to live stream Artemis I launch To get the latest and most accurate updates, viewers can watch the live feed of the mission from NASA. The space agency will provide live footage of the mission as and when it happens. Here's the link: × ALSO READ | US court upholds SpaceX’s satellite deployment plan in lower Earth orbit Facts about Artemis I -Mission duration: 42 days, 3 hours, 20 minutes -Total distance travelled: 1.3 million miles -Re-entry speed: 24,500 mph (Mach 32) -Splashdown: Oct. 10, 2022 About Artemis I As humanity looks beyond planet Earth for life, NASA's Artemis I will be the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to build a long-term human presence on the Moon in the coming decades. NASA administrator Bill Nelson said Saturday, "This mission goes with a lot of hopes and dreams of a lot of people. And we now are the Artemis generation." The main objective of the flight is to test the SLS and the Orion crew capsule that sits atop the rocket. Also to demonstrate Orion's systems in a spaceflight environment and ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown and recovery before the first flight with crew on Artemis II. The capsule will orbit the Moon to see if the vessel is safe for people in the near future. (With inputs from agencies) 🟢 Engines 🟢 Solid Rocket Boosters 🟢 Core Stage 🟢 Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter 🟢 Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage 🟢 Orion Stage Adapter Get familiar with all the parts of the SLS rocket before launch by checking out our "Clickable Rocket" >> https://t.co/r8FgfdcDQm pic.twitter.com/iD5kohW8h5 — NASA_SLS (@NASA_SLS) August 23, 2022 × Before @NASA_SLS and @NASA_Orion lift off the pad for Artemis I, they are primed for launch with gaseous nitrogen and helium to pressurize their fuel tanks. In just a few short days, we will witness this animation come to life at @NASAKennedy. pic.twitter.com/wG3Uqpe0TY — NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) August 25, 2022 × WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

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NASA released its first digital, interactive graphic novel Saturday to commemorate National Comic Book Day. "First Woman: NASA’s Promise for Humanity" envisions the story of Callie Rodriguez, the first woman to explore the Moon.

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Has China sent a secret rover to Moon? Internet sleuths spot small device piggybacking Chang'e-6

NASA's Artemis I mission to Moon: When and where to watch the historic launch

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NASA’s Artemis I moon mission explained

NASA wants to send a woman on Moon by 2024, Elon Musk sparks new race with his Mars mission