The China National Space Administration (ANEC) on Friday (11.06.2021) published a 360-degree panoramic image and two other color images of the surface of Mars and the landing module devices of the Tianwen-1 probe, which have arrived. The surface of the red planet on May 15.
The panorama shows the areas around the landing zone, a flat, rocky and seductive land, captured by the scout rover “Zhurong” (named after the god of fire in ancient Chinese mythology) before leaving, on May 22, the platform that touched the land of Mars.
“The nearby surface is relatively flat, with smooth, light-colored stones of various sizes scattered and semi-buried. There is a hole in the bottom with darker and more angular stones in the margin,” ANEC details in the text posted on its website.
The second photo shows the landing platform, with the descent ramp “Zhurong” – also the author of this photo – and the Chinese flag fluttered. Meanwhile, in the third photo, “Zhurong” detached from the detachable camera that was usually located in the basement, and retreated a few meters away.
Image of the rover and platform, shown further in the background, from a ground level perspective.
According to ANEC, the orbiter is in good condition and the rover has been operating on the Martian surface for 28 days on Mars.
“Zhurong” is part of the Chinese mission Tianwen-1, which was sent into space in July 2020 and whose landing probe reached the surface of the planet on May 15, in the southern part of the so-called Utopia Planitia, which is plain. It is located in the northern hemisphere.
Tianwen-1 (whose name can be translated as “Heavenly Questions”) is China’s first expedition to Mars and the first in history to combine travel, orbital entry and landing in a single mission.
Chinese scientists plan to find more evidence of the presence of water or ice on the planet, as well as conduct research on the physical composition of the surface of Mars or the characteristics of the climate.
JU (afp, efe)
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
A new rover for the red planet
NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover (shown in this technical illustration) is the most advanced rover the US agency has ever sent to Mars. Creativity, a true technological experience, will be the first aircraft to attempt a controlled flight on another planet. Perseverance will anchor in the Jezero Crater with creativity tied to his belt.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
all ready
NASA engineers persevere on an Atlas V rocket in July 2020. The rocket was launched into space on July 30 from Cape Canaveral, Florida (USA). The rover is expected to reach Mars in February 2021.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
public display
This is what perseverance looked like when it was introduced to the public in 2019. Its mission will be to support Curiosity, which is currently in action, in its work on the Red Planet. The new rover weighs just over one ton, and therefore is 100 kg heavier than its predecessor. With a length of 3 meters, it is also 10 cm longer, it can hold more devices and its arm is stronger.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
small drone
Perseverance carries a helicopter with him, something he has never experienced before on a planetary mission. This is an entirely new challenge for researchers. This will be the first time they have conducted and collected data from a flight in atmospheric conditions different from those on Earth, and with a gravity one-third of ours.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
giant robot
Curiosity is the predecessor of Mars 2020 and is by far the largest and most modern of Mars explorers, having already traveled more than 13 miles and is still active, thanks to its radioisotope battery. Its energy is practically inexhaustible. Curiosity is a laboratory on wheels.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
Organic and extraterrestrial compounds
Curiosity has a special spectrometer that can analyze samples with a laser from a distance. An integrated weather station that measures temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, radiation, and wind speed. In addition, the robot has an analysis unit to identify organic compounds, with the aim of searching for extraterrestrial life.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
More than scratching the surface
Curiosity showed that, in theory, life could exist on Mars. But he hasn’t discovered it…yet. The robot arm is equipped with a complete electric drill. Here, for example, he was seen sampling in Yellowknife Bay, inside Gale Crater.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
filter system
Each soil sample passes through a filtration system. The particles are then sorted by vibrating into different particle sizes and distributed to the numerous analyzers.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
small ancestor
Curiosity’s ancestors were much younger. On July 4, 1997, the small Mars rover Sojourner left the first track of its tires in the sands of the Red Planet. This was the first time a moving robot had been left there with its own equipment, such as an X-ray spectrometer for chemical analysis, as well as optical cameras.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
Sizes compared
Three generations of the rover. Younger Sojourner. With a weight of 10.6 kilograms, it is not much larger than a toy car. Maximum speed: 1 cm per second. Opportunity weighs 200 pounds, about the same as an electric wheelchair. Curiosity, 900 kilograms, like a small car. The two largest advances are up to 5 centimeters per second.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
Nearly four months of service
Sojourner advanced about 100 meters during his lifetime and provided information and photos until September 27, 1997. This is one of his last photos, taken nine days before the radio went out. Sojourner may have died because the battery could not stand the cold Martian nights.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
State of the art technology
Without Sojourner’s experience, the next three missions to Mars would have been unthinkable. NASA sent two identical robots, Spirit and Opportunity, in 2014. Spirit managed to run 7.7 km in six years. This robot climbed mountains, took soil samples and survived winters and sandstorms. Opportunity continues to work.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
Many technical improvements
Opportunity ran a 42-kilometer marathon in 2015, and so far, has covered a lot more than Curiosity. This robot has three different spectrophotometers and 3D cameras. You are now in the Valley of Perseverance. The robot itself, after more than 13 years of operation, has proven itself consistent, even surviving a sandstorm.
-
These are the tasks that will be undertaken by the perseverance on Mars
Landscapes of Mars are similar to those on Earth
This image was obtained with one of Curiosity’s cameras, a rover that is expected to continue operating for another five years, possibly even longer. The surface of Mars does not look unusual, because it reminds us of the deserts of our planet. Maybe it’s time to go there in person, or do we prefer leaving Mars to the robots?
Author: Fabian Schmidt
