Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones is a journalist who covers China's space industry for GBTIMES and SpaceNews. He is based in Helsinki, Finland.
Biography:
https://spacenews.com/author/andrew-jones/
60%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
75%
Examples:
- SLIM's solar cells were not generating power.
Conflicts of Interest
50%
Examples:
- SLIM has entered a near-circular lunar orbit ahead of its landing attempt.
- There are also no plans for such a landing.
- There are no plans for such a launch as of yet.
Contradictions
80%
Examples:
- JAXA began the SLIM project back in 2013 to kickstart Japan's lunar exploration capabilities.
- The spacecraft components were delivered to Hainan island via Antonov An-124 and Xi’an Y-20 transport planes, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced Jan. 10.
Deceptions
50%
Examples:
- SLIM has entered a near-circular lunar orbit ahead of its landing attempt.
- The spacecraft components were delivered to Hainan island via Antonov An-124 and Xi’an Y-20 transport planes, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced Jan. 10.
Recent Articles
China Makes History: First Country to Retrieve Samples from the Moon's Far Side
Broke On: Tuesday, 25 June 2024China made history on June 25, 2024, by becoming the first country to retrieve samples from the far side of the moon. The Chang'e-6 lunar probe landed in Inner Mongolia after a two-month mission to collect soil and rocks from this unexplored lunar region. 
Chang'e-6: First Successful Transfer of Moon Samples to Orbital Module in Lunar History
Broke On: Thursday, 06 June 2024On June 6, 2024, China's Chang'e-6 mission made history by transferring moon samples from its lander to an orbital module in lunar orbit for the first time. The lander had previously collected samples on the far side of the moon using a scoop and drill and docked with the orbital module, setting the stage for returning these precious lunar samples back to Earth. 
China's Chang'e-6 Mission Makes Historic Soft Landing on Far Side of the Moon, Bringing Valuable Lunar Samples Back to Earth
Broke On: Saturday, 01 June 2024On June 1, 2024, China's Chang'e-6 mission made a historic soft landing on the far side of the moon within the South Pole-Aitken Basin, marking China's fourth lunar landing and third in 2024. The lander collected up to 2 kilograms of surface and underground material using a mechanical arm and drill, targeting a significant area for potential volcanic activity. Expected back on Earth around June 25, the mission advances China's lunar exploration program towards putting a person on the moon before 2030. 
China's Lunar Ambitions: Progress Towards Establishing the International Lunar Research Station
Broke On: Wednesday, 24 April 2024China is making progress towards moon exploration, with completed prototype production of major flight products and plans for scientific facilities around the lunar south pole by 2035. Inviting international partners, China aims to establish a robotic and eventually inhabited moon base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) for interdisciplinary research activities. An intriguing CGI video featuring a NASA Space Shuttle launch may be an oversight or attempt at humor, but China's commitment to lunar exploration continues. China's Lunar Ambitions: Progress Towards Establishing the International Lunar Research Station
Broke On: Wednesday, 24 April 2024China is making progress towards moon exploration, with completed prototype production of major flight products and plans for scientific facilities around the lunar south pole by 2035. Inviting international partners, China aims to establish a robotic and eventually inhabited moon base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) for interdisciplinary research activities. An intriguing CGI video featuring a NASA Space Shuttle launch may be an oversight or attempt at humor, but China's commitment to lunar exploration continues. 
China's Queqiao-2 Satellite to Support Lunar Ambitions with Highly Elliptical Orbit around the Moon
Broke On: Tuesday, 19 March 2024China launched a satellite called Queqiao-2 to support its lunar ambitions. The spacecraft is intended for a highly elliptical orbit around the moon that will enable it to support missions both at the lunar south pole and on the moon's far side. 
Japan's SLIM Moon Lander Powers Down Ahead of Cold Nighttime on the Moon
Broke On: Sunday, 04 February 2024Japan's SLIM moon lander has powered down ahead of a likely mission-ending cold lunar nighttime due to engine troubles and solar radiation conditions that cut operations short. Japan's SLIM Moon Lander Powers Down Ahead of Cold Nighttime on the Moon
Broke On: Sunday, 04 February 2024Japan's SLIM moon lander has powered down ahead of a likely mission-ending cold lunar nighttime due to engine troubles and solar radiation conditions that cut operations short. 
Japan lands spacecraft on Moon with unprecedented accuracy, becomes fifth country to do so
Broke On: Wednesday, 31 January 2024Japan has become the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the Moon with its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM). The soft landing near Shioli crater, south of the lunar equator was done with an unprecedented accuracy of 100 metres. However, power levels drained away and the craft was put to sleep due to solar cells pointing westward that could not generate electricity at landing time. 
Japan's Historic Moon Landing Attempt with SLIM on Friday Morning
Broke On: Friday, 19 January 2024Japan's space agency, JAXA, is set to make history with its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on Friday morning. The SLIM will target a specific site near Shioli Crater within the Sea of Nectar plain that scientists suspect was formed by ancient volcanic activity. This would be Japan's first time putting a robotic explorer on the moon and make it the third country to achieve such a feat in the 21st century.