China's moon rover Yutu has awoken up from its concerningly abnormal dormant period, while experts are still trying to figure out the cause of the abnormality, a spokesman with the country's lunar probe program revealed on February 13.
The abnormality was discovered just before Yutu entered its second period of inactivity as the lunar night closed in on January 25. Due to extreme temperatures, Yutu must lie dormant during lunar nights or otherwise risk damage to its systems.
Pei Zhaoyu, the spokesperson, said that the moon rover's normal signal-receiving function had been restored to normal, but the causes of the mechanical control fault are still being verified.
"Yutu went into sleep while reporting an abnormal status," Pei said, adding that experts were initially concerned that it might not be able to survive the extremely low temperatures during the lunar night as a result.
"The rover stands a chance of being saved now that it is still alive," he said. |