23 votes

China has landed its first rover on Mars — here’s what happens next

5 comments

  1. [5]
    nothis
    Link
    Weird how little buzz there is about this, it seems like a big deal?

    Weird how little buzz there is about this, it seems like a big deal?

    7 votes
    1. [2]
      Eric_the_Cerise
      Link Parent
      I've actually seen quite a bit of coverage on it, although I'm a big fan of all things "space". But I agree, it's huge, and deserves more attention in the West. It's also just the latest in a...

      I've actually seen quite a bit of coverage on it, although I'm a big fan of all things "space".

      But I agree, it's huge, and deserves more attention in the West. It's also just the latest in a dozen or more amazing accomplishments for China's space program in recent years.

      I think part of it is, it's China. We're seeing the start of a new Cold War, and the West is downplaying every good thing they do.

      But also, China itself is being very secretive about their program, so it's hard for the West to report on it, being used to SpaceX-style full-frontal access.

      14 votes
      1. nothis
        Link Parent
        While I do agree that a lot of this seems to be political rivalry, this is an interesting point. SpaceX or even good old NASA gets me excited about space stuff, even without being that into space....

        But also, China itself is being very secretive about their program, so it's hard for the West to report on it, being used to SpaceX-style full-frontal access.

        While I do agree that a lot of this seems to be political rivalry, this is an interesting point. SpaceX or even good old NASA gets me excited about space stuff, even without being that into space. It makes you want to be a part of it and they're hinting at you already being a part of it by just following the news. This China story, in comparison, feels like a military report of a successful operation. Not that I say "feels", I have no idea how different it is in reality.

        6 votes
    2. [2]
      Octofox
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      It seems like space things in general get so much less coverage than they should. I randomly stumbled on some news that nasa is working on getting people to the moon again. Why on earth have I not...

      It seems like space things in general get so much less coverage than they should. I randomly stumbled on some news that nasa is working on getting people to the moon again. Why on earth have I not seen this news 100 times at least if it is real?

      I also seem to find out about incredible SpaceX news after it happens.

      5 votes
      1. skybrian
        Link Parent
        It’s sort of real in that lots of money is being spent, but it’s years away and may still be delayed or cancelled. What’s wrong with finding out after it happens? Space exploration usually happens...

        It’s sort of real in that lots of money is being spent, but it’s years away and may still be delayed or cancelled.

        What’s wrong with finding out after it happens? Space exploration usually happens slowly and there is lots of waiting. Watching live is often kind of boring, and before that there are lots of status reports.

        But if you want to be a space fan, you just need to find the right news sources to follow.

        2 votes