China will soon start its first space exploration on Mars, scheduled in July. After its epic launching of one of the biggest spacecraft called Long March 5B in the first week of May, the Asian country will now soon add a Mars rover on a mission to prove the never-ending questions regarding outer space-- whether there are life forms in the Red planet.
China officially announces the start of Mars Mission!
As confirmed via the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) in a report, the country is going ahead with its very first mission to travel to Mars or called the Tianwen-1 mission, scheduled in July.
Known by most people, China is not the type of country that prioritizes space exploration. So once this mission turns successfully, China will be the third country to set foot on the Red planet, joining the United States and the Soviet Union.
China's space agency will be the main contractor behind the mission. CASC has been working on this project since 2016. Just like with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Mars mission will be led by a Chinese-made Mars rover that will collect samples from the planet.
Tianwen-1's mission will be launched with the help of China's biggest Long March 5B rocket-- which had a malfunction at its first launch.
Despite that, the rocket is set to carry 13 payloads, consisting of seven orbiters and six Mars rovers. Once the Tianwen launched, the spacecraft will be spending months in space, before setting foot on Mars.
All the orbiters are designed to last for a whole Earth year. However, it could last for a longer time depending on the mission.
China's version of Perseverance
Perseverance, NASA's Mars rover, was already introduced by the agency. Interestingly, China will also have its own version of the Mars rover, that is set to rival the device.
Contrary to the American version, China's first Mars rover will rely upon its power on the Sun. This means that the machine will depend on solar power which may be compared with NASA's older rover called Opportunity, which had solar-powered energy.
"This Mars exploration mission does not simply repeat the old path of Mars exploration in other countries. The starting point is set very high, which reflects the development level of China's aerospace technology and the confidence of aerospace engineering and technical personnel," said Zhao Xiaojin, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and secretary of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group.
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