Chinese workers make final preparations to the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan on December 1, 2013.
Scientists launched China’s first ever moon rover early Monday, marking a milestone in the nation’s climb towards building a space program.
CCTV aired live footage of the Jade Rabbit, also know as “Yutu,” as it took off in the Chang’e-3 rocket around 1:30 a.m. local time at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
The Jade Rabbit is expected to land on the moon mid-December. Until now, China has sent 10 astronauts into space, and two probes to orbit the moon. It hopes to build a permanent space station by 2020, with the goal of sending someone to the moon.