The first robot rover to land on the Moon in nearly 40 years, China’s Jade Rabbit, has begun sending back photos, with shots of its lunar lander.

Jade Rabbit rolled down a ramp lowered by the lander and on to the volcanic plain known as Sinus Iridum at 04:35 Beijing time on Saturday (20:35 GMT).

It moved to a spot a few metres away, its historic short journey recorded by the lander.

On Sunday evening the two machines began photographing each other.

A Chinese flag is clearly visible on the Jade Rabbit as it stands deployed on the Moon’s surface.

Ma Xingrui, chief commander of China’s lunar programme, declared the mission a “complete success”.

(via China’s Jade Rabbit Moon rover sends back first photos)