China's probe to land on moon next month

[Waspie_Dwarf]

China names moon rover "Yutu"

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- China has chosen the name "Yutu" (Jade Rabbit) for its first moon rover, after a worldwide online poll challenged people to come up with names.

Li Benzheng, deputy commander-in-chief of China's lunar program, announced the name at a press conference on Tuesday.

"Yutu is a symbol of kindness, purity and agility, and is identical to the moon rover in both outlook and connotation. Yutu also reflects China's peaceful use of space," said Li.

In Chinese folklore, Yutu is the white pet rabbit of Chang'e, the moon goddess who has lent her name to the Chinese lunar mission.

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Edited November 30, 2013 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

China's lunar probe to land on moon next month

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- China is scheduled to launch Chang'e-3 lunar probe to the moon in early December, the first time a Chinese spacecraft will soft-land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body, an official said Tuesday.

Chang'e-3 comprises a lander and a moon rover called "Yutu" (Jade Rabbit). The lunar probe will land on the moon in mid-December if everything goes according to plan, said Wu Zhijian, spokesman with State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence(SASTIND).

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