China's rising star in space this week on planetary Radio. Radio. Hi everyone, welcome to Public Radio's travel show that takes you to the final

frontier.

I'm Matt Kaplan. Planetary Society Executive Director and co-founder Lou Friedman has just returned from the world's

most populous and possibly most ambitious nation.

He'll provide a report on China's plans to explore the moon and beyond,

utilizing both robots and human emissaries.

Bruce Betts will make his regular visit armed with night sky tips for owners of telescopes large

and small and even for those of us who just like to look up in wonder with our eyes alone.

And here's something for your ears alone,

our quick review of space headlines.

The r she blows.

Have you seen the fountains of Enceladus?

The Cassini spacecraft took advantage of an alignment with Saturn's icy moon

and the sun to catch the ghostly plumes geysering out of the South Polar region.

Take a look for yourself at planetary.org.

The tidings from Hayabusa are not nearly so effervescent.

The Japanese probe successfully collected a few grams of asteroid Itakawa just last week.

Controllers now report serious problems, including a leaky attitude control jet.

The Japanese Space Agency lost touch with the little spacecraft for an entire day, but then managed to re-establish contact.

It's unclear whether Hayabusa will be able to make the planned return trip to earth.

Again more details are at planetary.org.

Finally, congrats to X-Corps.

...