Like a zombie, China's Jade Rabbit lunar rover hops to life again after malfunction

Xeni Jardin 2:09 pm Fri Feb 14, 2014

A photograph of the giant screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows photo of the Yutu, or "Jade Rabbit" lunar rover taken by the camera on the Chang'e 3 probe during the mutual-photograph process, in Beijing December 15, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer

Earlier this week, it looked like China's malfunctioning lunar rover might be headed for the junk pile. But the week ends with great news: "Yutu has come back to life!" spokesperson Pei Zhaoyu told a Chinese state-run news agency. The probe " went into sleep under an abnormal status," he added.

The rover isn't out of the space woods yet: While normal signal reception capabilities have reportedly been restored, the cause of the initial issues remains unclear — as does whether they can be fixed. But Pei says Jade Rabbit "stands a chance of being saved now that it is still alive."

A well-linked roundup at the Washington Post.

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