Question: Consider the following statements:
(1) China successfully launched its first Mars probe Tianwen -1.
(2) Till now,USA Russia, European Union and India have reached the Mars.
Of the above correct statement/s is/are:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1&2
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- China successfully launched its first Mars probe aboard a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island on July 23 2020.
- The mission is termed Tianwen -1 (formerly Huoxing 1), which means “Questions to Heaven”.
- It is China’s first solo mission to Mars after a previous attempt with Russia failed in 2011.
Objective:
- The scientific goals of the mission include studying Martian topography and geology and determining the composition of the surface material, climate and environment.
Spacecraft and Subsystems:
- The spacecraft consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover.
- The orbiter will use high-resolution cameras to search for a suitable landing site somewhere in the Utopia Planitia region.
- It weighs around 240 kg and will carry cameras, a subsurface radar, a spectrometer, a magnetometer, and atmospheric sensors.
- Tianwen-1 will reach the Red Planet’s orbit in February 2021. The rover will land on Mars in May.
Utopia Planitia region:
• Utopia Planitia region on Mars indicates the area where a large subsurface deposit rich in water ice was assessed.
• Also, ice caps at the north and south poles lead to the presence of water which needs to be explored comprehensively.
Countries on Mars Mission:
- Till now,USA Russia, European Union and India have reached the Mars.
- The United States and the Soviet Union are the only two countries to land a spacecraft on Mars.
- India through its Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan became the first country to orbit mars in its very first attempt.
- MOM was launched by ISRO in 2013.
By-Amar Mani Upadhyay
Links:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/china-mars-mission-tianwen-1-explained-6521179/