China News Service, May 24, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Group WeChat official account, China ’s Mars exploration mission was approved in 2016, and plans to independently conduct Mars exploration for the first time in 2020, the year when the 13th Five-Year Plan ends. At present, China is advancing this major aerospace project as planned, aiming to launch the Mars rover in July this year.
China ’s Mars rover and the Long March V launch vehicle used for launch were developed by the fifth and first institutes of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Bao Weimin, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Science and Technology Commission of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group, introduced the Martian exploration mission of "Tianwen No. 1" during the two sessions. The mission plan implements a single launch to achieve multiple engineering objectives, including Mars orbit and landing patrols, conducting global and comprehensive exploration of Mars, and conducting detailed patrol surveys on key areas on the surface of Mars. The mission sets five major scientific goals, mainly involving the study of space environment, morphological characteristics, surface structure and so on.
In order to achieve these scientific goals, the Mars rover is designed into two parts: the orbiter and the patrol combination. During the mission, the patrol complex will land softly on the surface of Mars, and release the patrol rover to detect on the surface of Mars; the orbiter orbits Mars to provide relay communication services for the mission, and waits for the opportunity to conduct surround detection. The mission carried a total of 13 types of payload, including 7 types of surrounds and 6 types of rover.
"The biggest difficulty of Mars exploration is 'terror 7 minutes'. During reentry, descent, and landing, the speed of the probe must be reduced from 20,000 kilometers to zero within 7 minutes." Bao Weimin 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, also told the media that the process of entering, descending and landing was very short, but that was the most dangerous and exciting moment.
This year is the window period for Mars exploration activities. Following the announcement of the delayed launch of the ExoMars Mars rover in cooperation with Europe and Russia, there are currently the US "Fortitude" Mars rover, the UAE's "Hope" Mars rover and China's "Tianwen 1" Mars exploration mission still sticking to this year emission.
Zhao Xiaojin said that Mars exploration is one of the important signs of a space power. The successful implementation of China ’s first Mars exploration mission can further shorten the gap between China and the United States, Russia, and Europe in deep space exploration technology, and improve the development level of China ’s space probes. To promote our country's comprehensive development in planetary exploration and basic scientific research, and make China among the forefront of international space exploration.
"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." Zhao Xiaojin said.