Chinese scientists have today launched a rocket towards the Moon. The payload is secret, but our reporters have discovered that it comprises a large white van with a camera on top. The project objective is to provide data to be used in creating "Street View" images on Google Maps.
The van is to be operated remotely, and is estimated that the entire Moon will be scanned within 18 months. Key objectives are to record images of all the Moon landings, including the 6 manned operations.
The Google organisation is delighted, because they have run out of continents on Earth, and are looking for the next challenge.
The US has responded by revealing a project to send 3 similar white vans to Mars within 5 years. However, they are currently negotiating with the residents about the level of detail, since there have been formal objections sent to NASA.