China unveils global maps of Mars based on Tianwen-1 orbiter photos

The colour-coded maps will add to our knowledge of the red planet and improve planning for future missions, says Chinese space agency
The panoramic images are compiled from 14,757 photos obtained during the country’s first independent mission to the planet

Science

Ling Xinin Beijing

Published: 10:00pm, 24 Apr 2023

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China unveiled on Monday the first colour-coded global maps of Mars taken by the country’s first independent mission to explore the red planet.

The panoramic images were compiled from 14,757 photos obtained by the Tianwen-1 orbiter’s moderate resolution imaging camera between November 2021 and July 2022, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The maps will add to our knowledge of the red planet and improve planning for future missions, including China’s Tianwen-3 mission to return samples from Mars, the CNSA said during a ceremony to celebrate Space Day of China in the southeastern city of Hefei.

The images have also helped scientists identify many geographical features near the landing site, 22 of which were named after places in China by the International Astronomical Union.

The images have helped scientists identify many geographical features on Mars. Photo: CNSA

Tianwen-1 lifted off from the southern island of Hainan in July 2020, marking the beginning of China’s first interplanetary mission.

After entering Martian orbit in February 2021, the spacecraft photographed preselected landing areas in Utopia Planitia, a large plain, and helped with the successful touchdown of a lander and a rover three months later.

By the end of June 2022, the Tianwen-1 orbiter had circled Mars 1,344 times.

It also supported data relay between the Zhurong rover and Earth and has conducted global remote-sensing surveys of Mars at a lower orbit, the CNSA said.

China’s Tianwen 1 Mars mission wins top international aerospace award

The solar-powered Zhurong rover, which was originally designed to run for three months, spent a year travelling a total of 1,921 metres (6,302 feet) over the Martian surface before entering hibernation because of the cold winter in May 2022.

Zhurong remains asleep after failing to wake up as expected earlier this year when spring arrived on Mars, according to China Space Daily. During a public talk on April 15 in Beijing, the rover’s chief designer Jia Yang noted that “we can’t rule out the possibility that Zhurong will never wake up”.

China National Space Administration released the first global image of Mars on Monday as part of its first independent Mars exploration mission. Photo: CNSA

More details about China’s Mars sample return mission were revealed during the International Conference of Deep Space Sciences in Hefei on Saturday.

The Tianwen-3 mission, which is expected to launch around 2030, aims to bring back at least 500 grams (1.1lbs) of rocks from the surface of Mars by scooping, drilling and remote sampling, said the mission’s chief designer Liu Jizhong at the conference.

Chinese scientists are still looking into possible landing sites that would help them address questions regarding signs of life on Mars and maximise scientific returns.