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It's easy to laugh off China's achievements in space. Aaaaw, look at their little space
station, now check out our massive space mansion. Etc etc. So when China's Yutu or Jade Rabbit
moon rover rolled onto the surface and then stopped working shortly afterwards, more than
a few online commentators had a little giggle and tweeted made in China jokes.
Because, you know, we've got a big working rover on Mars, you can't make a little toy
rover roll around on the moon.
But let's not forget, this was the first successful soft landing on the moon in more than 30 years.
After decades of failure, China has achieved astonishing things in the 11 years since sending
it's first astronaut into space, learning in years skills it took the other space powers
decades to master. And now, it seems, it's moon mission may not quite be dead.
Jade Rabbit has come out of hibernation, and it's alive. The rover entered the lunar night,
when there's no daylight to power it's solar electrical supply, without having properly
shut down after it's steering system jammed. It was feared, and reported in the Chinese
Press, that the rover was dead. It isn't - it's woken up and is alive and well, although it's
still stuck. It's thought a build-up of sticky lunar dust has clogged the system, which will
be tricky to clean - being, as it is, 380,000km from the nearest mechanic.
Personally, I hope they get it cleaned out and back on the road. Because, you know, political
differences aside and just loving the science and friendly competition of it all, it's pretty
cool having someone else to share space with.