Launch of China's First Mars Probe Tianwen-1

Scheduled Mars Surface Landing in April Next Year
China's Rapid Space Technology Growth Since First Satellite Launch in 1970

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese state media including Xinhua News Agency reported at 12:41 PM (local time) on the 23rd that the Mars probe 'Tianwen 1' was launched from the Wenchang Launch Site in Hainan, southern China.

The China National Space Administration announced on the 21st that China's first Mars probe would be launched aboard the Long March 5 rocket. Considering weather and other factors, it appears the launch took place in the afternoon of that day.

Tianwen 1 consists of a Mars exploration satellite, a lander, and an unmanned rover, and if the flight proceeds normally, it is scheduled to land on the surface of Mars in April next year.

If Tianwen 1 successfully reaches the surface of Mars, Chinese aerospace technology will achieve a new milestone. China will have succeeded in Mars exploration 51 years after launching its first artificial satellite (Dongfanghong 1) on April 24, 1970.

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