China launches first moon probe, dad warns of "Red Menace"

My dad has a semi-irrational fear of an impending Chinese takeover. All it takes is one Chinese-manufactured component on his grill breaking and he's foaming at the mouth about how my sister will have to learn Cantonese before she can finish her grad degree. We had to administer a rectal sedative when he discovered China supplies crucial airplane components to Boeing.

The news that China successfully launched a lunar probe yesterday probably sent him into an epic fit (I should check on mom). The Chang’e-1 satellite, named after a Chinese goddess who flew to the moon, took off from a site in Sichuan Province, according to state-run media.

The probe will orbit the moon for a year, sending vital satellite data that could help China reach its goal of putting an astronaut on the moon in 2020. But they better keep their eyes on the prize: Japan and India have designs on similar lunar conquest.

“As lunar exploration embodies our overall national strength, it is very significant for raising our international prestige and our national unity,” Ouyang Ziyang, a top scientist with China’s space program, told People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s most authoritative newspaper.

Great. I know "national strength" is important and all, but thanks to you, China, my Thanksgiving is probably ruined.

Dad: "It won't be long before you're 'ni-hau'-ing all the way to the People's Republic of broken electronics! Planes falling out of the sky! Christmas lo mein! Oscar-winner Jackie Chan!"

Me: (sighs) "I know, dad...I know."

China Sends Its First Probe for the Moon Into Space (NY Times)