By Li Hongmei

Backgrounder: Timeline of China's lunar program

China is scheduled to launch Chang'e-3 lunar probe in early December, a spokesman with State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) said Tuesday. (Photo source:Xinhua/chinanews.com) >> More

Chang'e-3, China's first lunar rover, was named "Jade Hare" this morning after the Chinese folklore, in which the Jade Hare, or the Moon Rabbit, is often portrayed as a companion of the moon goddess Chang'e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her. >> More

China's lunar exploration and space engineering center had been collecting names for the Chang'e-3 lunar rover, which will be launched in Early December, from across the world. The global name-collecting campaign is designed to enhance people's understanding of China's lunar exploration project and increase their enthusiasm in China's space program. >> More

As the main mission of lunar exploration project phase II, CE-3 is expected to make a soft landing and exploration on an astronomical object outside the Earth for the first time by China. The mission of lunar rover is to complete surface moving, telecommunication and scientific research on the moon.