spacetoday.net: Chinese lander, rover awake from nighttime hibernation

Posted: Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 6:44 AM ET (1144 GMT)
Yutu rover rolling onto lunar surface (Xinhua)

China's first lunar lander and rover resumed operations this week after hibernating during the two-week lunar night. The Chang'e-3 lander and Yutu rover resumed operations over the weekend after having suspended operations on December 26. The spacecraft are solar powered and cannot operate during the lunar night, which lasts about two weeks. The spacecraft are reported to be in good condition after resuming operations, and Yutu conducted its first survey of the lunar regolith using its robotic arm on Tuesday. The Chang'e-3 lander, China's first mission to land on the Moon, touched down on December 14 and deployed the rover several hours later.