China's Chang'e-3 Makes Its First Soft Landing on the Moon

China has joined the U.S. and Russia as one of only three nations to make a controlled soft landing of an unmanned spacecraft on the moon's surface.

China Central Television, the state television broadcaster in mainland China, broadcast the final stage of the mission on Saturday (see above video); it showed the Chang'e-3 successfully touching down on the moon

Carrying a solar-powered moon rover called "Yutu" (Jade Rabbit), CCTV also televised the launch of the Chang'e-3 probe on Dec. 1, as seen in the video, below.

After achieving orbit on Dec. 6, the probe prepared to make its auto-controlled descent, which was closely monitored by staff at the China National Space Administration Read more...