China's lunar rover Yutu-2 resumes work after third lunar night

Photo taken by the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe on Jan. 11, 2019 shows the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2). [Photo: Xinhua/China National Space Administration]

China's lunar rover Yutu-2, or Jade Rabbit-2, has woken up from its third lunar night on the far side of the moon and resumed its scientific exploration mission.

According to the China National Space Administration, the lunar rover woke itself up at 8:28 p.m. on Friday and re-established communications with its relay satellite.

As of March 13, the rover had completed three lunar days of work, traveling 163 meters before switching to sleep mode.

Photo taken by the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2) on Jan. 11, 2019 shows the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe. [File photo: Xinhua]

The Chang'e-4 probe landed at the Von Karman Crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon on January 3. The 135-kilogram rover Jade Rabbit-2 is the first ever rover to drive on the moon's far side, and is the lightest rover ever sent to the moon.

The rover has already surpassed its expected design life, and its developers are working to ensure that it will be able to continue its lunar exploration mission and the collection of scientific data.