We live in an interesting time. Strange enough that we’re sending little robots off to the moon to poke around, but now those robots have social media accounts in which we can keep track of their adventures. And when those adventures go south, as they have for China’s Jade Rabbit who has undergone a malfunction China’s technicians fear may be unsolvable, they can tweet a few final pieces of wisdom back to earth. No words of ours can add to Jade Rabbit’s profound courage in the face of death, so we’ll shut up and let him take over:
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.
Good night, planet Earth. Good night, humanity.
Good night, Sweet Prince. May your little robot heart be carried aloft on a lunar breeze, and remind us all how to love …
