China space programme: Tianwen-1 enters Mars’ parking orbit ahead of touchdown in May
- All flight control systems and equipment ‘working normally’, National Space Administration says
- Notice comes just days after America’s Perseverance probe sent back the first audio ever recorded on the surface of the red planet
China’s Mars probe has entered the red planet’s parking orbit where it will operate for the next three months before attempting to land, according to the China National Space Administration.
The Tianwen-1, which had been circling Mars since February 10, entered its parking orbit on Wednesday, the agency said.
“Currently the status of equipment is normal and all flight control systems are working normally as planned,” it said.
Each complete orbit will take Tianwen, or “Heavenly Questions”, two Martian days – or slightly longer than two days on Earth – with the lowest and highest points being 280km (174 miles) and 59,000km above the planet’s surface.
During its time in orbit, Tianwen-1 will use its cameras and spectrometer to carry out a detailed investigation of the Martian landscape and weather at its intended landing site before a planned touchdown in May.