Jade Rabbit, named after a lunar goddess in traditional
Chinese mythology, landed on the moon in December to great
national fanfare. The buggy, which began experiencing
"mechanical control abnormalities" in late January, is on a
mission to conduct geological surveys and hunt for natural
The rover is still able to send data back to Earth using the
Chang'e 3 probe that delivered it, the official Xinhua news
agency said, citing Li Bengzheng, deputy commander-in-chief of
China's lunar programme.
But the buggy's wheels and the solar panel designed for thermal
insulation during the frozen lunar nights no longer work, Li
said. The craft's functionality is progressively deteriorating
"with each lunar night," Li said.
China has been moving to develop its space programme for
military, commercial and scientific purposes but it is still
playing catch-up to established space powers the United States
The Jade Rabbit and the Chang'e 3 probe marked the first "soft
landing" on the moon since 1976. Beforehand, both the United
States and the Soviet Union accomplished the feat.
(Reporting By Matthew Miller; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
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