The China moon rover is all set to begin its mission to the lunar rock on Monday. This will be the first ever moon landing for the country. Previous moon orbiter missions, Chang'e 1 and 2, were launched on 2007 and 2010 respectively.
Yutu or "Jade Rabbit" will be housed in a rocket, the Chang'e 3, and will be launched at 1:30am local time on December 2, 2013. The rocket, with its precious cargo, will take-off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the Sichuan province. This marks the first step towards China's ambitious space program that aims to have a permanent space station by 2020.
The China moon rover will also make the country only the third ever to soft land a spacecraft on the moon. It was named after the Chinese myth about a rabbit that lives on the moon. The rocket's name, Chang'e, is derived from the lunar goddess said to have swallowed a pill for immortality. If successful, the rocket and rover are set to arrive on the moon by December 14. Jade Rabbit is designed to traverse the surface of the moon for a three-month period.
Shanghai Aerospace Systems Engineering Research Institute shares the technological advancements made to be outfitted on the China moon rover. They report an autonomous navigation system and specialized grip on the wheels. The China moon rover will be able travel at a speed of 200 meters per hour and climb 30-degree inclines. The 310-pound rover is also equipped with solar panels that will be used to harness power.
The Chang'e lander is set to settle on the moon's Sinus Iridium, near the fresh crater Laplace A. It is also known as the Bay of Rainbows, a plain of basaltic lava.
Since 2003, China has sent 10 astronauts into space on five separate missions.
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