[Explanation] On October 28, the Tianwen-1 probe successfully completed the third midway correction of its orbit and is expected to land on Mars in May 2021.
Liu Tongjie, deputy director of the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center and spokesperson for China’s first Mars exploration mission, recently said in an exclusive interview with China News Agency that the Tianwen-1 probe will softly land on the Martian Utopia Plain , Scientists believe that the place has high scientific value, and it is very likely that unexpected scientific results will be achieved.
[Concurrent] Liu Tongjie, Deputy Director of China National Space Administration's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, and spokesperson for China's first Mars exploration mission
The area we chose for soft landing happens to be a plain, called Utopia Plain, which is in the southern part of Utopia Plain.
Geologists say this is probably the location of an ancient ocean.
At the junction of ancient ocean and ancient land, scientists believe that this place has high scientific value, and it is very likely that unexpected scientific results will be achieved.
[Explanation] After completing the third midway correction of the orbit, Tianwen-1 will fly in the current orbit for about 4 months to rendezvous with Mars.
When talking about the reason why the first station of China's planetary exploration was designated as Mars, Liu Tongjie said that Mars is a terrestrial planet with an atmosphere and a surface. Scientists hope to explore whether the evolution of Mars is the future of the earth's evolution.
[Concurrent] Liu Tongjie, Deputy Director of China National Space Administration's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, and spokesperson for China's first Mars exploration mission
Life may have existed on Mars before, but now the atmosphere is thinner and life can no longer exist.
If humans develop and destroy the earth indefinitely, will (the earth) one day develop into Mars? This is a question raised by scientists. Therefore, we have great curiosity about Mars exploration, and we also have great expectations for Mars exploration. Great hope.
[Explanation] Liu Tongjie said that the development of deep space exploration and planetary exploration projects is a manifestation of the human spirit of exploration.
If the first Mars exploration mission is successfully completed, it shows that China has made great progress in the field of planetary exploration and has made more contributions to the peaceful use of space by mankind.
[Concurrent] Liu Tongjie, Deputy Director of China National Space Administration's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, and spokesperson for China's first Mars exploration mission
Such difficult scientific and technological projects can be realized, and they can all be completed very well. They can stimulate young people's enthusiasm for science and can devote themselves to national construction.
In this way, everyone can look up at the starry sky and work down-to-earth to stimulate everyone's enthusiasm for exploration, especially young people.
[Explanation] Liu Tongjie said that China’s planetary exploration program has planned 4 missions. The first Mars exploration Tianwen-1 mission is the first time it has been launched and other missions are currently being demonstrated.
Reporter Xu Pengpeng Guo Chaokai Wang Chao reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Liu Xian]