[Explanation] On June 11, the National Space Administration announced in Beijing the panoramic view of the landing site of the "Tianwen-1" probe taken by the "Zhu Rong" rover, the topography of Mars, the "Chinese Imprint" and the "Photo Tour" And other image maps.

The release of the first batch of scientific image maps marked the complete success of China's first Mars exploration mission.

A few days ago, Professor Wu Bo of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who was in charge of analyzing the topography of Mars and assisting in the selection of candidate landing areas for the probe during this exploration mission, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency.

　　[Concurrent] Wu Bo, a member of the scientific target research team of the "Tianwen-1" Mars exploration mission, professor of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

　　The "Tianwen-1" Mars exploration mission actually created a history of space exploration and deep space exploration.

Never before has a country been able to complete three very important tasks in such a short period of time for the first time.

"Round", orbit around Mars.

"Fall", landing on the surface of Mars.

Then we made inspections and the rover ran on Mars. I think this is a very great achievement. China has made history.

　　[Explanation] In 2016, at the invitation of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, Wu Bo led a team to analyze and evaluate the global topography of Mars.

In the meantime, the team screened out three candidate landing areas, and finally selected the southern area of ​​the Utopia Plain, the largest impact basin in the northern hemisphere of Mars, as the target landing area for Tianwen-1.

In February 2021, after "Tianwen-1" entered the orbit of Mars, it took high-resolution images of the selected target landing area.

In March of the same year, Wu Bo's team obtained images sent back from Mars, and since then they have carried out intensive analysis and processing.

　　[Concurrent] Wu Bo, a member of the scientific target research team of the "Tianwen-1" Mars exploration mission, professor of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

　　We also use this artificial intelligence method developed by ourselves to automatically identify impact craters, rocks, and other factors that may endanger landing safety in the entire area.

Finally, we integrated terrain slope, impact crater density, stone abundance and other factors, searched for several landing ellipses, and finally we suggested these landing ellipses to the "Tianwen No. 1" mission team.

Finally, the landing position of our "Tianwen-1" rover is near the center of one of our suggested landing ellipses.

You can imagine that such a sense of participation, such a joy is difficult to express in words.

　　[Explanation] Recalling the past few months, Wu Bo frankly said that due to tight time and heavy tasks, pressure and difficulties were everywhere.

　　[Concurrent] Wu Bo, a member of the scientific target research team of the "Tianwen-1" Mars exploration mission, professor of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

　　What we need to do is to process these very large amounts of high-resolution images. We have to analyze the millions of rocks, hundreds of thousands of impact craters, and others in the target landing area. Some features of the terrain that may affect the landing safety, but I feel very gratified that each of our team members can do their best. Some students may be unwell or even sick, but he can persist. After a short rest, I can quickly get into the middle of work.

Some male classmates even sleep in the office all night long.

All this is done is to ensure that before this time, we have to complete the tasks assigned to us by the national aerospace department.

　　[Commentary] Wu Bo introduced that most of his team members are young people.

What makes him gratified is that after the tempering of the project, these fledgling young people have gradually honed and grown into a group of experienced and responsible young scientists.

　　[Concurrent] Wu Bo, a member of the scientific target research team of the "Tianwen-1" Mars exploration mission, professor of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

　　One of my doctoral students started as a young student who might not know much about Mars exploration, and now he has grown into a young scientist who has achieved more achievements in the analysis of Mars topography. I feel very pleased.

Our country’s aerospace engineers, they are all very young, after missions such as Mars exploration, they have grown vigorously.

In the beginning, I may not have so much advanced international knowledge and experience, but when I have a very mature mentality, experience, strength, and knowledge have all grown very beneficially. I think this is of great significance to China's future aerospace industry. Significantly, we have accumulated talents.

　　[Explanation] In Wu Bo's view, Hong Kong scientists should base themselves on the unique advantages of Hong Kong Innovation Center, actively integrate into the overall situation of national development, and participate in major national scientific research projects. While realizing their self-worth, they should also create greater science for society. value.

　　Reporter Fan Siyi reports from Hong Kong

Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】