[pducks32]

I mean congrats to the team, but I’m really not sure there’s much scientific use in this mission. Don’t get me wrong, there is tremendous engineering and propagandist value that could lead to other high-value missions like mars etc but the reason no one is going to moon right now is that it’s kinda boring from a space point of view. India and the US went to Mars which is enormously more difficult and were able to do science experiments there—incredible. While the ESA mindblowingly landed on Titan which is insane. Congrats to the team but chill out with the hyperbole.

[wenc]

From TFA:

"Though the moon is hardly untrodden ground after decades of exploration, a new landing is far more than just a propaganda coup, experts say.

The crater where the Chinese landed is the oldest and deepest on the moon, so the probe’s discoveries may offer insights into the moon’s origins and evolution. And some scientists suspect that the surrounding basin may be rich in minerals. If exploiting the moon’s resources is the next step in space development, a successful mission could leave the Chinese better positioned."

[colordrops]

The hyperbole is perhaps a bit much, but ridiculous statements that there isn't scientific value don't help either. There are ride-along scientific payloads from Holland, Germany, and Sweden, and they landed in the oldest crater on the moon which may reveal secrets about its origins.

[A2017U1]

I believe the eventual plan is a radio telescope on the far side of the Moon, it would have huge scientific merit.

One of the mission goals here is to test for radio "silence" in the region.

[usaphp]

> I’m really not sure there’s much scientific use in this mission

LOL what???