Beijing: China's Jade Rabbit moon rover has experienced a "mechanical control abnormality", state media said on Saturday, in what appears to be a setback for a landmark mission in the country's ambitious space programme.
The abnormality occurred due to "the complicated lunar surface environment," the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND).
Scientists were "organising an overhaul", the report added, without giving further details.
There were no reports of the abnormality on SASTIND's website.
The Jade Rabbit, or Yutu in Chinese, was deployed on the moon's surface on December 15, several hours after the Chang'e-3 probe landed.
The mission is a huge source of pride in China, the third country to successfully send a lunar rover to the moon, after the United States and the former Soviet Union.
The landing was the first of its kind since the former Soviet Union's mission nearly four decades ago.
The abnormality occurred due to "the complicated lunar surface environment," the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND).
Scientists were "organising an overhaul", the report added, without giving further details.
The Jade Rabbit, or Yutu in Chinese, was deployed on the moon's surface on December 15, several hours after the Chang'e-3 probe landed.
Advertisement
The landing was the first of its kind since the former Soviet Union's mission nearly four decades ago.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Playing With Fire": China Warns Europe Over "Meddling" In Taiwan Newly Married Chinese Man Says He Travels 320 Km Daily "For Love" Of Wife At Least 12 Killed After Bridge Collapses In China Due To Torrential Rains The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Crippled Windows Users Worldwide What Recovery Of Austrian Gun 'Steyr AUG' From J&K Terrorists Means After Retest, Haryana NEET Centre With Most Top Scorers Gave This Result... Triptii And Vicky Only Give Good News In Matching Versace Printed Looks 'When Biharis Are Doing So Well, Why Is Bihar Behind,' Asks Union Minister Bangladesh Blocks Roads, Internet; Army Deployed To Curb Protests Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.