Chang’e-3, a soft landing on the moon

China will launch its third spacecraft to land on the moon this year for its ongoing Lunar Exploration Program.

The Chang’e-3 orbiter includes a lander and rover. It is named after the Chinese goddess of the moon - Chang’e. According to the lunar program's chief scientist, Chang’e-3 will make a soft landing on the moon and explore its surface.

It will take off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan province in the second half of 2013.