Datum 2014
built a translucent plastic backing that can
China aims to use robots to return lu-
But China's historic moon mission
stand up to heavy wear and tear. This is laid
nar material to Earth for study around
is due to arrive while a NASA probe
on top of a 10-millimetre-thick steel screen
2017. To prepare for this, two previous
called LADEE is also trying to take data
peppered with LEDs.
Chinese probes took images of the
on the moon's almost non-existent at-
The carpet could provide animated signage
moon from orbit. The latest mission,
mosphere. Last week LADEE entered
on the floors of shops, theatres, and hotels,
Chang'e-3, will be China's first lunar
into the relatively low orbit needed for
says Ed Huibers of Philips. And at airports,
touchdown. It includes a six-wheeled
it to make its main observations and
arrows could point passengers toward their
rover that has been named Yutu, or
create a baseline for the composition
departure gate, for example. "Architects are
Jade Rabbit, after the mythological pet
of the lunar atmosphere.
looking into other interesting applications
of lunar goddess Chang'e.
If LADEE does not have its core data
now, too – such as placing QR codes on the
floor," he says.
before the Chinese mission arrives in
"This is going to be quite a feat – some-
mid-t