Chang'e 3 & YutuLong March 3B China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Launch Status Success Sun ยท Dec 1st, 2013 12:30 PM EST Watch Online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ-dvGSVOCo Mission Chang'e 3 & Yutu Type: Robotic Exploration Chang'e 3 is an uncrewed lunar exploration mission consisting of a robotic lander and China's first lunar rover Yutu. The main objective of the mission is to achieve China's first soft landing and roving exploration on the Moon, as well as performing lunar-based astronomical observation and studying lunar topography and geology. Location Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China 99 launches have been at this location. Rocket Long March 3 Length: 54.8 meters Diameter: 3.35 meters First Launched: February 14, 1996 The Long March 3B is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. Introduced in 1996, it is launched from Launch Area 2 and 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. A three-stage rocket with four strap-on liquid rocket boosters, it is currently the most powerful member of the Long March rocket family and the heaviest of the Long March 3 rocket family, and is mainly used to place communications satellites into geosynchronous orbits. The Long March 3 rocket has been launched a total of 13 times with 11 successful and 2 failed launches. Agency China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Type: Government Abbreviation: CASC Administration: Chairmen & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Launchers: Long March Spacecraft: Country: CHN The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956. View Rocket Launch Schedule