'Yutu', Chang'e-3 resume functioning after dormancy

The "Yutu" rover and the Chang'e-3 lander began functioning again over the weekend. Both had become dormant to ride out the harsh conditions on the moon.

The "Yutu" rover and the Chang'e-3 lander began functioning again over the weekend. Both had become dormant to ride out the harsh conditions on the moon.

China's Chang'e-3 mission to the moon has resumed normal operations after a period of dormancy that lasted two weeks.

The "Yutu" rover and the Chang'e-3 lander began functioning again over the weekend. Both had become dormant to ride out the harsh conditions on the moon.

The Beijing Aerospace Control Center or the BACC said the lander started functioning automatically at 8:21 am on Sunday and is currently in normal condition.

Yutu also began functioning automatically at about 5:00 am Beijing Time on Saturday. It has now finished necessary setting procedures and entered normal working mode following commands from the BACC. One night on the moon lasts about 14 days on Earth, during which the temperature falls below minus 180 degrees Celsius.

Also, there is no sunlight to provide power to the solar panels that are necessary to run instruments on the rover and lander. The resumption of normal functioning of the mission after a period of dormancy reflects the success of Chinese technology in surviving a lunar night.