China becomes third nation to land probe on Moon

It may have taken 60 years but China has now joined the United States and former Soviet Union in one of the most exclusive clubs on Earth after carrying out the first soft landing on the moon since 1976.

The superpower is also set to become the third country to complete a lunar rover mission when it deploys its Yutu, or Jade Rabbit vehicle.
Scientists burst into applause yesterday as a computer generated image representing the spacecraft, named Chang'e-3, was seen landing on the moon's surface via screens at a Beijing control centre, state broadcaster Chinese Central Television (CCTV) showed.