Chinese lunar rover transmits first images from Moon
BEIJING. Dec 16 (Interfax) - The Chinese lunar rover Yutu (Jade Rabbit) has transmitted its first images from the Moon, the Chinese media reported on Monday.
The six-wheeled rover rolled approximately nine meters away from the landing module before it took the first pictures. Color images transmitted to the Earth feature the Chinese flag raised above the Jade Rabbit, a Chinese mythical character.
The Chang'e-3 mother ship touched down at 4:35 a.m. Beijing time (00:35 a.m. Moscow time) on Saturday and the rover started its travel across the lunar surface on Sunday.
The vehicle, traveling at the speed of 200 meters per hour, is bound to study the geological structure of the Moon and lunar soil. The mission will last for three months.
Chang'e is the Chinese goddess of the Moon, and the Jade Rabbit is her pet, who lives on the Moon and makes the elixir of immortality.