Tianwen-1 robotic probe
The Tianwen-1 probe landed in the Utopia Planitia of Mars at 7:18 am on May 15, 2021. It was the first time China had landed a probe on Mars. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) played a role in the mission.
The landing took more than six hours. The probe entered Martian orbit and at about 4:00 am the landing module separated from the orbiter. After about a three-hour flight the landing module entered the Martian atmosphere and finally landed after deceleration, hovering and buffering. The orbiter returned to a parking orbit after separation, continuing to relay communications for the lander.
An illustration of Tianwen-1 probe entering Martian orbit [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
