BREAKING: China launches its first solo mission to Mars in bold attempt to land on the red planet.
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, a Long March-5 rocket is seen at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Friday, July 17, 2020. China launched its most ambitious Mars mission yet on Thursday, July 23, 2020 in a bold attempt to join the United States in successfully landing a spacecraft on the red planet. The Tianwen-1 was launched on a Long March-5 carrier rocket from a launch site on Hainan Island.
Livestreams showed a successful liftoff, with rockets blazing orange and the spacecraft heading upward across clear blue skies. Hundreds of space enthusiasts cried out excitedly on a beach across the bay from the launch site. This time, China is going at it alone. It also is fast-tracking, launching an orbiter and rover on the same mission instead of stringing them out.
Unlike the two other Mars missions launching this month, China has tightly controlled information about the program — even withholding any name for its rover. National security concerns led the U.S. to curb cooperation between NASA and China’s space program. This Mars-launching season — which occurs every 26 months when Earth and Mars are at their closest — is especially busy.
China’s road to Mars hit a few bumps: A Long March-5 rocket, nicknamed “Fat 5” because of its bulky shape, failed to launch earlier this year. The coronavirus pandemic forced scientists to work from home. In March, when instruments needed to be transported from Beijing to Shanghai, three team members drove 12 hours to deliver them.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S.-China relations will remain tense ahead of election, says former American ambassador to BeijingPresident Donald Trump signed the partial trade deal with Beijing in January, but the coronavirus pandemic has since hammered China's economy.
Read more »
What Apple’s new store in Beijing means for U.S., China relationsIn the middle of the pandemic when the economy is suffering Apple opened a new store in Beijing to replace its first-ever store in China. NBC News’ Janis Mackey Frayer explains what this store represents for U.S. and China relations.
Read more »
U.S. State Department orders China to close consulate in Houston as Beijing vows retaliationThe move comes as political tensions between the world's two largest economies continue to escalate.
Read more »
Beijing To Reopen Some Cinemas Friday; China Box Office Climbs Again On 3rd Day BackAs expected, Chinese authorities have given the go-ahead for cinemas in Beijing to reopen this coming Friday. That’s also when the first new Hollywood titles will hit the market, including Do…
Read more »