China has successfully launched “Tianwen-1” its first independent mission to Mars.
A Long March 5 rocket carrying the
spacecraft ignited at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in south China’s
tropical Hainan province.
China had launched an orbiter destined
for Mars on a Russian rocket in 2011, but the mission failed because the
rocket malfunctioned.
Tianwen-1, whose name means “Questions
to Heaven,” is a combined orbiter, lander and rover that aims to explore
the Martian environment and search for hints of life.
The spacecraft will travel for about seven months until it reaches
Mars. It will orbit the red planet for two to three months before
attempting a landing.
China Capital: Beijing; Currency of China: Renminbi.
