The Chinese Chang’e 3 mission to the Moon is about to launch. (See earlier posts here and here.)  Watch the lift-off of the Long March 5 on Chinese TV webcast.

[ Update: The launch was a success:

http://youtu.be/lgZslWEQZHY

The cameras on the stages gave dramatic views of the flight, including the burn of the third stage to send the spacecraft on a trajectory to the Moon. Even after separation of the spacecraft from the third stage, the camera showed the Chang’e 3 – Twitter / SpaceflightNow:

A view of China’s Chang’e 3 lunar lander firing thrusters just after deploying from the Long March upper stage. pic.twitter.com/liqsFN47ET

Update 2: The Chang’e 3 will go into lunar orbit on December 6th and the landing is planned for December 14th.

Some reports on the launch:

• Long March rocket blasts off with Chinese lunar rover – Spaceflight Now
• China launches Lunar Probe Chang’e-3 – Special Report – English.news.cn

]

Updates at

• Emily Lakdawalla (elakdawalla) on Twitter
• Twitter / Search – #ChangE3

Articles and photos:

• Chang’e-3 lunar probe ready to launch – Xinhua 
• China to launch lunar rover Jade Rabbit mission – Bbc