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US talk shows have seized upon the stories released by Xinhua that update the public on the malfunctioning lunar rover.
The "dispatches" are written in the first person, and are intended to appear as if the Jade Rabbit writes them. The result suggests a plucky adventurer, mulling over life and death, but ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for "humanity".
The pathos proved too much for some TV comics to resist. On Tuesday, Jon Stewart's The Daily Show ran a "live" segment of the rover delivering its message, with British actor Patrick Stewart playing the part of the Jade Rabbit.
"My masters found I have a mechanical control abnormality. Some of my body parts will not obey their commands," the 73-year-old stage legend said, his voice a mix of sadness and stoicism. "The sun has fallen and the temperature is dropping so quickly," he continued, voice breaking. "To tell you all a secret, I don't feel that sad. I was just in my own adventure story - and like every hero, I encountered a small problem.
Good night, Earth. Good night, humanity," Stewart said, to applause and laughter from the studio audience.
China's first successful landing on the lunar surface became a moment of national pride last December. But the six-wheeled rover reported a problem late last month, just before the moon entered a two-week lunar night when temperatures drop to minus 180 degrees Celsius.
The rover would have frozen if it was unable to close its solar panels in time.
In the diary, the rover said it hoped people would console the Chang'e-3 spacecraft that took it to the moon.
"If I really cannot be fixed, when the time comes, I hope everyone will remember to help me comfort her."
You might have heard the news that China landed a rover on the moon. Unfortunately, their lunar rover, named Jade Rabbit, has a technical malfunction, and is facing imminent death. Well, actor Patrick Stewart, of Star Trek fame, dressed up as the rover and bid Earth farewell in a short clip on Jon Stewart.
Before we get to that, Jade Rabbit has been tweeting, and tweeted a rather touching goodbye:
Although I should’ve gone to bed this morning, my masters discovered something abnormal with my mechanical control system. My masters are staying up all night working for a solution. I heard their eyes are looking more like my red rabbit eyes. Nevertheless, I’m aware that I might not survive this lunar night.
If this journey must come to an early end, I am not afraid. Whether or not the repairs are successful, I believe even my malfunctions will provide my masters with valuable information and experience.
The sun has already set here and the temperature is falling very quickly. I’ve said a lot today, yet still feel like it’s not enough. I’ll tell everyone a secret. Actually, I’m not feeling especially sad. Just like any other hero, I’ve only encountered a little problem while on my own adventure.
