Uncrewed Chinese spacecraft lands on Mars, scriptes history

BEIJING: China scriptes history as their an uncrewed spacecraft has landed on Mars successfully on Saturday.

This was reported by a state news agency Xinhua.

This successful Mars expedition has made China the second country to fare space after the United States to land on the planet.

China president Xi Jinping had issued a message of congratulations to the crew involved in this successful mission.

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Xi Jinping said in his released statement, "You were brave enough for the challenge, pursued excellence and placed our country in the advanced ranks of planetary exploration,"

"Your outstanding achievement will forever be etched in the memories of the motherland and the people," Xi added.

As the official China Space News reported, the spacecraft left its parked orbit at about 1700 GMT Friday (0100 Beijing time Saturday). The landing module separated from the orbiter three hours later and entered the Martian atmosphere.

Xinhua reported, the official landing time was 2318 GMT (0718 Beijing time), citing the China National Space Administration.

The rover, named Zhurong, will now survey the landing site before departing from its platform to conduct inspections.

The rover has six scientific instruments including a high-resolution topography camera.

It will study the planet's surface soil and atmosphere.

Zhurong will also look for signs of ancient life, including any sub-surface water and ice, using a ground-penetrating radar.

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