China Captures Spectacular Panoramic Images of the Moon with CPS

Technology is improving every day and now, scientists are using it on the lunar surface. A rugged camera technology developed by researchers in Hong Kong and China successfully captured 360 degree panoramic views of the moon during China's first lunar landing in 2013.

The camera pointing system, called the CPS, is a sophisticated tool that's capable of controlling a camera's movement with precisions as well as protecting the camera under extreme conditions. The CPS was developed by a joint team for Phase 2 of China's Lunar Exploration Program. With the CPS aboard, the Change'e 3 lander successfully touched down on the moon and then took pictures of the lunar system.

The CPS system was perched on top of the lander itself and allowed researchers to monitor the lunar rover, called Yutu, as it descended onto the moon's surface. The CPS snapped panoramic images around its host machine, and the images themselves were constructing by stitching together a range of high resolution color two-dimensional images.

The CPS provided an indispensable record of the geographic features surrounding the landing ste, as well as a full view of Yutu's motion on the lunar surface. The high precision movement of the CPS also allowed the construction of a detailed model of the lunar surface.

This isn't the end for the CPS, either. Researchers plan to deploy it again for Chang'e 4, another lunar mission similar to Chang'e 3. Currently, the mission is scheduled for launch in 2017 or 2018.

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