Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party, the Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA) has released videos and pictures of its rover: Zhurong.
The wireless camera attached to the rover was able to capture the landing on Mars and CNSA stated that Zhurong is ready to explore the Utopia Planitia, a region on Mars.
How long did it take the Chinese rover to get to Mars?
According to the CNSA, it took 42 Martian days, known as Sol. One Sol it is the equivalent of 24 hours and 39 minutes of Earth hours and footage of the landing on the 14th of May has been released just in time for the Chinese government to mark the centenary anniversary of the Communist Party.
There are several videos, some of which contain images with the landing of the capsule and then the deployment of the rover on the Martian surface. Another interesting fact is that the videos have sound, Zhurong can be heard moving its wheels away from the landing platform, and even some noises from Mars can be distinguished.
Characteristics
The characteristics of the Chinese rover are quite similar to the ones of its American predecessors: Spirit and Opportunity. It has around 240 kg and plenty of tools to help explore Mars for at least 90 days: a laser tool, a radar, a camera and some instruments to help further investigate the mineralogy and rocks from Mars and it is similar in external and internal design with six wheels.
The Chinese Government is known for celebrating the Communist Party using different tools and festivities and this media release with Zhurong from July is just one of many.
Some documents claim the Communist Party of China was founded on the 1st of July, while others consider the day of the first National Congress to be the founding day: the 23rd of July.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWl4Om-aOro
