What is Yutu?

Yutu or Jade Rabbit is the first moon rover project of China. 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.

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

Legend has it that, after swallowing a magic pill, Change took her pet and flew toward the moon, where she became a goddess, and has lived there with the white jade rabbit ever since. If successful, it will be the first time a Chinese spacecraft has soft-landed on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.

The moon rover is part of the Change-3 lunar probe, which is expected to be launched in early December.

Examrace Team at Nov 26, 2013