Jade Rabbit Rover in Trouble After Mechanical Abnormality

Jan 27, 2014 10:03 AM EST | Matt Mercuro

China's Jade Rabbit Moon rover is supposedly having issues after having "mechanical control abnormality," according to BBC News.

The vehicle, which is also known as Yutu, had issues over the moon's "complicated lunar surface environment," according to Xinhua news agency.

The rover landed this past December as part of the country's Chang'e-3 mission, or the first "soft" landing on the moon in over 38 years.

"Although I should've gone to bed this morning, my masters discovered something abnormal with my mechanical control system," said the Xinhua report, in the voice of the Jade Rabbit. "My masters are staying up all night working for a solution. I heard their eyes are looking more like my red rabbit eyes."

"Nevertheless, I'm aware that I might not survive this lunar night."

During the lunar night, which can last 14 Earth days, the moon's surface temperature can fall to under -180 Celsius. In order to try surviving the lunar night, the rover has to "hibernate," which would allow it to preserve its electronics, according to CNN News.

The Beijing Aerospace Control Centre confirmed that Yutu had explored the Moon's surface by using its mechanical arm.

It was supposed to work for around three months, according to BBC News.

China became the third country in the world when it successfully completed a soft landing.

People have created comic strips and Jade Rabbit-themed pictures to express their support for the rover.

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