China Mars Rover Zhurong releases images of Mars, starts roaming the Red Planet
The rover will study the topography, geology and atmosphere of the red planet
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After sending a few photos of its landing site, China’s Mars rover is now driving around and exploring the surface, said state-run Xinhua news agency said.
Image credit: CNSA
The first images beamed back by Zhurong were black-and-white images taken by the rover’s obstacle avoidance camera, as well as a color image taken by a navigation camera of the rear of the rover showing that its solar panel and antenna have unfolded normally, China’s Space Administration (CNSA) said.
China just became the second country to drive a rover on the surface of Mars
China’s Zhurong rover left its landing platform and drove on the surface of Mars on Saturday, state media reported making the country only the second after the US to land and operate a rover on the red planet.
The six-wheel solar-powered rover, which weighs about 240 kilograms (529 pounds), touched down on Mars on May 15. Its mission is intended to last three months, the Chinese government said, during which time it will search for signs or evidence of ancient life on Mars’ surface.
Zhurong is named after a god of fire in Chinese mythology and landed in the red planet’s Utopia Planitia region.
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Beijing s Tianwen-1 Mars probe (Illustration/Handout/Xinhua/CNSA via CNN)
by: Yong Xiong and Tricia Escobedo, CNN
Posted:
May 14, 2021 / 10:23 PM EST
(CNN) China has successfully landed its rover on Mars, according to state media, becoming the second country in history to have a rover on the red planet.
The rover, Zhurong, named after a god of fire in Chinese mythology, landed Saturday morning at the pre-selected area in Utopia Planitia on Mars, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
The six-wheel solar-powered Zhurong rover weighs about 240 kilograms (529 pounds) and carries six scientific instruments. It will be later deployed from the lander for a three-month mission in search of life on Mars’ surface.