China Launches Rover to the Moon

China today joined only the U.S. and Russia when it sent a probe to soft land on the Moon.The Lunar rover called “Yutu” (Jade Rabbit).aboard the Long March-3B carrier rocket, blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 1:30 a.m. Monday.

In addition to analyzing the moon’s geological structure and surface, the rover will also deploy a telescope on the moon first time in human history, observe the plasmasphere over the Earth and survey the moon surface through radar.

China has been on a fast, and successful path in it’s execution towards an eventual manned Moon mission. If successful the next human on the Moon will be from China in 2025-2030. The United states will not have its SLS rocket ready until 2030 to attempt any similar mission.

Read: When will USA return man to the moon? Will you see it?