02 December 2013 (20:31 UTC-07 Tango 01 December 2013)/28 Muharram 1435/11 Azar 1392/30 Jia-Zi (10th month) 4711

“We will strive for our space dream as part of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation!“–Zhang Zhenzhong, director of Xichang launch center

China is about to become the third country to land on the Moon.   The rocket carrying the probe and lunar rover blasted off early this morning.

The Chang’e-3 carries a lunar rover called Yutu (Jade Rabbit).  If successful China will follow the Soviet Union and United States, and become the third country to land on the Moon.