Launch of Chinese Chang'e 3 Lunar Exploration Rover on Long March 3B

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched from the Xichang launch site in China carrying the countries first Rover destined for the Moon - Chang'e 3. Liftoff occurred December 1st 2013 at 17:30 UTC. Chang'e 3 contains a lander from which the Rover will deploy from after landing on the Moon surface on December 14th 2013.

The Rover will be the first spacecraft in 37 years to make a soft landing on the Moon after Russia's Luna 24 mission in 1976. The Rover weighs 120kg and is 1.5 meters tall, it's onboard systems allow it to transmit live video and also dig - performing soil analysis.