Uh oh ..
.. long distance Robotwars.
Someone better tells Dara Ó Briain, Angela Scanlon and Jonathan Pearce..
The Chinese space program has taken a massive step forward as the country unveiled its design for a rover to scoot across the surface of Mars. The mission to the Red Planet will see the rover launched on a Long March-5 carrier rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in China's Hainan province. It is scheduled to land …
So will NASA be allowed to share its toys, experience, or will China be forced to reinvent the wheel here...?
Does look suspiciously like the Curiosity rover though... I'm sure that's purely coincidence of essential design features rather than a straight copy.
"The challenges we face are unprecedented,"
Not really mate, they're the same challenges every other Mars lander has had to put up with.
I assume there was more to that quote along the lines of "unprecedented...in our space program", which is true, a Mars lander is a long march big leap forward for China, and good luck to them says I.
You mean like this one?
http://mars.nasa.gov/msp98/lander/
http://science.nasa.gov/missions/mars-polar-lander/
Solar power is not optimal for polar landers do to a thing called winter. Our recent rovers have been sent to areas where initial colonization is more likely.
I'm not offended.
I feel it is borderline inappropriate because it associates a Chinese mission to Mars with Chinese food delivery. I'll admit it is a clever title, but I feel like it degrades the efforts of China by associating this goal with something that actually has nothing to do with China and is very low-skill.
Different perspective: if it were an American mars lander, the title "Mars to get American Delivery: Arrival time 2020" would be technically accurate but rather puzzling—unless the thing you happened to associate with "American" was the delivery of American-ish food you ordered over the phone.
I know many people will read the title and not have a problem with it. But it makes me feel icky. If it doesn't make you feel icky, then that's fine. It is a matter of opinion.
Depends what time of year it is.
If it is around 5th November, gunpowder and fireworks come more to the fore.
I am glad they use the old racial stereotypes. I can the go, stereotype, don't take seriously. However, if they start dropping new racial stereotypes, then I am going to get confused and think they really are racist..
A rover, built in China (by the Chinese) is being delivered to Mars. Nope, I'd say that's about an appropriate a headline as El Reg does. Quite how it's culturally insensitive is beyond me. If it is genuinely offensive to Chinese readers, then sure, by all means reword it.
Out of curiousity, what title would not cause you to become culturally sensitised?
I think I'll take exception to the use of the word 'rover' because it's Friday.
late 14c., "sea-robber, pirate," from Middle Dutch rover "robber, predator, plunderer," especially in zeerovere "pirate," literally "sea-robber," from roven "to rob," from Middle Dutch roof "spoil, plunder," related to Old English reaf "spoil, plunder," reafian "to reave" (see reave (v.)). (http://etymonline.com)
"Mars to get McDonald delivery. Estimated time of arrival: 2020"
What, you calling Americans lazy and only eat McDonalds on Mars? Racist
.
"Mars to get Ramen delivery. Estimated time of arrival: 2020"
What, now you serve Japanese first with no fresh sushi? Racist
.
"Mars to get lemon delivery. Estimated time of arrival: 2020"
What, now you're giving me lemon? "I don't want your damn lemons, what the hell am I supposed to do with these?"
.
"Mars to get face palm delivery. Estimated time of arrival: 2020"
^ #AppropriateTitle /sarcasm /Everyone'sALittleBitRacist