Technical Malfunction Occurs on US Spacecraft Departing for Hwaseong

Rocket carrying the US Mars exploration rover 'Perseverance' launching from the launch pad
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] A technical malfunction occurred on the spacecraft 'Mars 2020,' which was launched to bring soil from Mars back to Earth.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issued a statement on the 30th (local time), saying, "The spacecraft has entered safe mode," and that it is currently experiencing technical difficulties and operating only with essential systems maintained.

The spacecraft is en route to Mars carrying the United States' new Mars exploration rover, Perseverance.

NASA estimated that the cause of the malfunction was due to the temperature of part of the spacecraft's body being lower than expected while it was in Earth's shadow.

Earlier that day at 7:50 a.m. (Eastern Time), NASA launched the fifth Mars exploration rover, Perseverance, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Perseverance's launch was delayed three times due to issues in the final stage but was successfully launched on this day and is scheduled to land on Mars on February 18 next year.

Prior to the United States, China and the United Arab Emirates also launched Mars exploration spacecraft this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.