On Dec. 1, 2013, China launched its first-ever objective to land a rover on the moon. With the Yutu rover on board, the Chang e 3 moon lander lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on a modified Long March 3B rocket. The mission was called after Chang e, the goddess of the moon in Chinese mythology. The rover, Yutu, was called after the Jade Rabbit, who was a companion of the moon goddess. Chinas Yutu moon rover, photographed by the Chang e 3 lander in December of 2013. The lunar far-side objective, Chang e 4, which released on Dec. 7, 2018, was created as a backup for Chang e 3. (Image credit: CASC/China Ministry of Defense) Chang e 3 shown up in lunar orbit 5 days after the launch and touched down on the lunar surface area one week later, on Dec. 14. It was the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on the moon in 37 years. A couple of hours later on, the little, six-wheeled Yutu emerged from the spacecraft, becoming the first robot to rove on the moon considering that 1973. Catch up on our whole “On This Day In Space” series on YouTube with this playlist. On This Day in Space Archive! Still inadequate area? Dont forget to have a look at our Space Image of the Day, and on the weekends our Best Space Photos and Top Space News Stories of the week. Email Hanneke Weitering at [email protected] or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
