This photo released by China's National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the first image of Mars captured by Tianwen-1 from a distance of 2.2 million km (on the right), juxtaposed with a topographic map of Mars. Tianwen-1 conducted its fourth orbital correction Friday night. Xinhua / CNSA
This photo released by China's National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the first image of Mars captured by Tianwen-1 from a distance of 2.2 million km (on the right), juxtaposed with a topographic map of Mars. Tianwen-1 conducted its fourth orbital correction Friday night. Xinhua / CNSA
This photo released by China's National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the first image of Mars captured by Tianwen-1 from a distance of 2.2 million km (on the right), juxtaposed with a topographic map of Mars. Tianwen-1 conducted its fourth orbital correction Friday night. Xinhua / CNSA
This photo released by China's National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the first image of Mars captured by Tianwen-1 from a distance of 2.2 million km (on the right), juxtaposed with a topographic

Science

China releases image of Mars ahead of Tianwen-1’s orbit entry

The Chinese spacecraft will arrive at the Red Planet less than 24 hours after UAE’s Hope probe

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir
UAE

February 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

China’s Tianwen-1 Mars mission has beamed back its first image of the Red Planet, as it prepares to make its final approach.

The China National Space Administration released a grayscale image of Mars taken by the spacecraft, ahead of its orbit entry attempt on February 10.

The mission – which includes an orbiter, lander and a rover – was launched four days after the UAE's Hope probe was launched on July 19 last year.

US space agency Nasa also launched a rover to Mars at the end of July last year.

All were taking advantage of the narrow launch window that lasted between mid-July to early August.

The Hope probe is scheduled to be the first to arrive at the Red Planet on February 9, at 7.42pm Gulf Standard Time.

It is the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission.

The Tianwen-1 mission is China’s second attempt at reaching Mars.

It will study soil and rock composition, the planet's atmosphere and search for signs of buried water ice.

In 2011, a Russian rocket carrying a Chinese spacecraft meant for Mars ended in failure due to engine problems mid-flight.

Omran Sharaf, UAE's Mars mission director, wished the Chinese space agency good luck.

"At the end of the day for us, the more missions that reach Mars, the better it is," he told The National.

“We never looked at this mission, or even our space sector in general, as a competition.

"For us, it was never a competition – it has always been collaboration.

"We do care about the success of the Chinese mission, but we don't really care if they come before or after us.

"We are paying attention to whether it's going to be successful or not and we hope that it is. It will add more value to the global effort of data generation towards better understanding Mars."

The UAE is set to become the fifth nation to reach the Red Planet, if orbit entry is successful.

China would become the sixth.

China launches spacecraft to Mars - in pictures 

A Long March-5 rocket, carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China's Hainan Province in 2020. AFP
A Long March-5 rocket, carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China's Hainan Province in 2020. AFP
The Long March 5 Y-4 rocket, carrying an unmanned Mars probe of the Tianwen-1 mission, takes off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. REUTERS
The Long March 5 Y-4 rocket, carrying an unmanned Mars probe of the Tianwen-1 mission, takes off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. REUTERS
Liu Tongjie, spokesman for China's Mars exploration mission, talks to the media before the launch of Tianwen-1 Mars exploration mission by Long March 5 Y-4 rocket, at Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. REUTERS
Liu Tongjie, spokesman for China's Mars exploration mission, talks to the media before the launch of Tianwen-1 Mars exploration mission by Long March 5 Y-4 rocket, at Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. REUTERS
A Long March-5 rocket, carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China's Hainan Province. AFP
A Long March-5 rocket, carrying an orbiter, lander and rover as part of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, lifts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China's Hainan Province. AFP
The Long March 5 Y-4 rocket, carrying an unmanned Mars probe of the Tianwen-1 mission, is seen before the launch at Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. REUTERS
The Long March 5 Y-4 rocket, carrying an unmanned Mars probe of the Tianwen-1 mission, is seen before the launch at Wenchang Space Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. REUTERS
A Long March-5 rocket is seen at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Friday, July 17, 2020. AP
A Long March-5 rocket is seen at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, Friday, July 17, 2020. AP
This photo taken on July 17, 2020 shows a Long March 5 rocket being transferred before a planned launch in Wenchang in China's southern Hainan province. AFP
This photo taken on July 17, 2020 shows a Long March 5 rocket being transferred before a planned launch in Wenchang in China's southern Hainan province. AFP
A child whispers to a woman as they visit an exhibition depicting rovers and bio-domes in Mars, in Beijing. AP Photo
A child whispers to a woman as they visit an exhibition depicting rovers and bio-domes in Mars, in Beijing. AP Photo
A replica of Mars lander and rovers on display at a shopping mall in Beijing, China. EPA
A replica of Mars lander and rovers on display at a shopping mall in Beijing, China. EPA
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2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly

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3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

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4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

On Women's Day
The specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 849Nm

Range: 456km

Price: from Dh437,900 

On sale: now

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday

Second leg

Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm

Game is on BeIN Sports

Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
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iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179

Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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