When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.
The Tianwen-1 space craft has finally reached the orbit of Mars, following six long months of space travel. The machine will now orbit the planet for seven months, before a rover descends to the surface. It is the first time China has managed to get a space craft to Mars, following in the footsteps of NASA, the Soviet Union, India, the European Space Agency, and just one day later than the UAE.
Details about the success of the mission are so far scant, but according to state media, everything went according to plan.
This involved a 14 minute braking period to reduce the speed of the machine from 23 kilometres per second to a speed which would allow Tianwen-1 to be captured by the gravitational pull.
While the feat is hard enough in itself, the timing needed to be impeccable due to it taking signals 11 minutes to reach Earth from 190 million kilometres away.
Chinese state media CGTN tweeted: “China’s first Mars probe Tianwen-1 has successfully entered the orbit of the red planet after a crucial ‘brake’ to decelerate and be captured by Mars gravity, according to CNSA.”
UAE Mars: Animation shows seven month journey
Tianwen-1 will now orbit Mars for seven months, collecting valuable data.
The machine will analyse the planet’s geology and morphology – how the planet’s surface has changed – using its Mars-Orbiting Subsurface Exploration Radar instrument.
The machine will analyse the planet’s geology and morphology – how the planet’s surface has changed – using its Mars-Orbiting Subsurface Exploration Radar instrument.
After scanning the planet for just over half a year, the rover, which is currently unnamed, will be detached from Tianwen-1.
Source: Read Full Article
