China launches 1st rover mission to Mars

Beijing: China on Thursday launched its first rover mission to Mars.

The six-wheeled robot, encapsulated in a protective probe, was lifted by a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang spaceport on Hainan Island at 12.40 a.m.
the BBC reported.

It should arrive in orbit around the Red Planet in February.

Called Tianwen-1, or “Questions to Heaven”, the rover won’t try to land on the surface for a further two to three months.

**China** has successfully **launched** its **first** major interplanetary **mission to Mars**. … Called Tianwen-1, **China’s mission** consists of a Martian orbiter, lander, and **rover**. The trio **launched** on top of the Long March 5 from **China’s** Wenchang Spacecraft **Launch** Site in the early morning hours of July 23rd

This wait-and-see strategy will allow engineers to assess the atmospheric conditions on Mars before attempting what will be a dangerous descent.

Tianwen-1 is one of three missions setting off to Mars in the space of 11 days.

Thursday’s development comes after the United Arab Emirates on Monday launched its Hope satellite towards the Red Planet.

Also in a week, NASA aims to despatch its next-generation rover, Perseverance.

So far, only the Americans have managed to run long-lived operations on Mars.

Source: IANS