China raises its flag on Mars and releases first batch of high-resolution images of its Tianwen-1 mission

Posted:

Jun 11, 2021 15:54 GMT

The footage was taken by the Zhurong rover, which is conducting exploratory missions on the surface of the Red Planet.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has released the first batch of images of the surface of Mars taken by the Zhurong rover, which landed on the Red Planet last month.

The high-resolution images were unveiled during a special ceremony in Beijing to mark the anniversary “Complete success of the first mission” Exploration of Mars for China, the space agency notes in a Release.

In one of the shots, the Zhurong rover and the mission landing platform are shown dressed Chinese flag In the middle of the rocky and red terrain of the planet.

A panoramic view of the landing site created with the rover camera shows that the surface of Mars in that region appears relatively flat, with scattered boulders of varying sizes. In the distance you can also see some sand dunes.

In other photos you can see some of the rover components such as the solar panels that provide the power and their communication systems.

The mission of Tianwen-1, consisting of an orbital vehicle, a landing platform and a rover chest In July last year. The probe reached the surface of the Red Planet on May 15 in the southern part of Utopia Planesia, a vast plain located in the Northern Hemisphere.

As planned, the rover Zhurong – named after the god of fire in ancient Chinese mythology – The study of the geological structureenvironment, atmosphere, and Martian waters for at least 90 days.