The Zhurong rover, belonging to the Chinese space mission Tianwen-1, is exploring the Utopia Planitia plain, taking pictures, looking for water and evidence of past life, and other tasks.
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China’s National Space Administration published on Friday (9) new photographs of mars, which show rocks on the Martian surface and the vehicle’s tire tracks, taken by the mission’s rover Zhurong.
© AFP 2021 / National Space Administration of China
Mars surface captured by China’s Zhurong rover, June 26, 2021
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The first image, taken on June 26, shows Martian terrain as the rover explores Utopia Planitia, a large lava plain in northern Mars, with what appears to be the rover’s surface component detector and climate detector.
© AFP 2021 / National Space Administration of China
Mars surface captured by China’s Zhurong rover, July 4, 2021
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Also, one of the other images reveals rocks on the ground and what appear to be rover tire tracks.
Check out the new photos of the Martian surface! Photographer: Zhurong, China’s first Mars rover.
In the final color images you can see tires, as well as the rover’s solar panels and antenna.
History of China’s mission on Mars
In July 2020, the Zhurong rover was launched from Earth aboard the Chinese spacecraft Tianwen-1, which entered orbit around Mars in February 2021. As of Friday (9) Zhurong had been on Mars for 54 days and has already passed through more than 300 meters, indicated the Chinese Xinhua agency.
During his stay on Mars, Zhurong has been heading south and conducted detections and taken photographs of the Martian landscape with his navigation camera. In addition, it conducted scientific research using its surface survey radar, weather monitor and magnetic field detection tools.
On May 22, the Zhurong rover descended to the Martian surface of its landing platform, beginning its study of the Red Planet and making China the second country after the US to land and operate a rover on Mars.
While Zhurong investigates Utopia Planitia, NASA’s Perseverance rover is investigating Jezero crater, which may also be home to ancient life.
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