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Q: So about that probe to Mars...?
It failed, sort of. Right now, they don't know if it's a software or hardware problem. China is speeding so quickly through their space program, I am not surprised that there will be a mistake here and there. Do you think they can fix it? Do you think they are trying to progress too quickly? Do you really think China will make it to the moon in a few years? Does China have the resources and money to continue the program at this pace?
12 years 23 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
First the Russian Probe. Once in orbit, the engine to give the trust towards Mars failed to ignite. As you said, could be hardware, or software. I doubt it will be software, those are truly tested on the ground before loading on probe computers, and a reboot should be tried. If hardware, Russians do have time, they can launch a rescue mission to check out the rocket engine that failed.
If not, the whole mission will become a waste of rubles.....
Now, as to China. It involves many things, one of them is face. Yes, they have the money, but I do feel they are rushing it a little too much, shorcuts are not a good policy with space ventures. At NASA things must be 99.99 % right before tried, mmaybe that is why they have done impressive things, and still had glitches as we all remember.
The Russians have always been a little sloppy when it comes to space technology so this doesn't surprise me at all. As far as China goes, I think they'll follow in the Soviet Union's footsteps and try to get to the moon by whatever means necessary. Nothing else matters as long as they get there on time. The Soviets sent several rockets up that weren't space worthy in order to beat the US. Killed a lot of brave cosmonauts too but you never hear about that bit of history. China's obsession with "face" will likely yield the same results.
