The successful landing of the Jade Rabbit lunar rover on the Moon by China was the last mission of Phase II of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program also known as the Chang'e program after a Chinese lunar goddess. There have been some technical problems with temperature changes and communications but the rover has been able to carry out some parts of its mission.
The lander deposited the rover on the lunar surface on December 14th, 2013. During the first two week lunar day of the rover mission, the rover photographed the lander from several angles while the lander photographed the rover. All the equipment on the rover was tested and functioned properly. The rover deployed a robotic arm successfully. As lunar nightfall approached, the rover performed tests of readiness for shutting down and sleeping through the two week lunar night. The rover shut itself down on December 26th, 2013.
On January 11, 2014, the command was sent for the rover to wake up. On January 16th, the rover carried out the first soil tests. On January 25th, the Chinese media announced that there were control problems with the rover. The rover would not respond correctly to commands sent from Earth. A circuit in the drive system of the rover had malfunctioned and the rover was unable to fold up its robotic arm and solar panels to prepare for the coming lunar night.
At the end of the lunar night on February 12th, 2014, the expected signal from the rover that it had survived the lunar night was not received. In view of the lack of any communication from the rover, the Chinese declared that it was "permanently inoperative." Contrary to the declaration, on the next day, signals were received from the rover. There were still mechanical control problems even thought the rover had reestablished communications. The rover could not move and there were problems with carrying out experiments. However, the ground penetrating radar, panoramic and infrared imaging equipment were still functioning. The rover entered sleep mode again on the February 22, 2013.
By April of 2013, the rover had exceeded its expected life span of three months in spite of all the technical problems. Even though restriction to the same location will limit the use of the ground penetrating radar, panoramic and infrared imaging, the Chinese will continue to carry out as many experiments as possible as long as the rover continues to function. There is a website dedicated to the rover under the name of the Jade Rabbit Lunar Rover where users can view status updates and leave comments.
Phase III of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program consists of landing a rover on the Moon which can take up to four pounds of lunar soil samples that will then be returned to the Earth. The Chang'e mission calls for a launch on a Long March 5 rocket in 2017.
Chinese Jade Rabbit lunar rover:
