China releases first Tianwen-1 images of rover landing site
The new colonial movement: China yesterday released the first two images taken by its Mars orbiter Tianwen-1 of its planned rover landing site in the northern lowland plains of Mars.
The image to the right is a mosaic of two wide angle photos from the context camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The white cross is the spot of the latitude and longitude that had previously been leaked to the Chinese press as the landing site. The white box shows the area covered by the only high resolution MRO photo, as of October 2020. Since then MRO has taken a number of additional high resolution images of this area.
The red boxes mark the areas covered by Tianwen-1’s two new images. Below is a reduced version of the larger of these two photos.
Click for full image.
These two images confirm that this location was the rover’s prime landing site. However, the release of the images also included the announcement that they have pushed back the rover landing from late April to May or even June. Either they have decided it is going to take more time to cover this area with reconnaissance photos, or these first photos have forced them to reconsider the landing site.
That these two photos keyed in on the two largest features in this area suggests they are assessing the landing site. We do not know how much smooth territory the lander needs to settle down between these large features. Nor do we know the exact technology the lander will use to maneuver its way down. It could be it will use these images as reference, which means they must collect enough images to cover the entire area before landing.
Or it could be these images have told them this location won’t work and thus the delay in landing.
I think the answer is the former. However, we will have to wait to find out. China’s government is not going to be forthcoming with many details.
From the press release: From the moment he is handed a possibility of making the first alien contact, Saunders Maxwell decides he will do it, even if doing so takes him through hell and back.
Unfortunately, that is exactly where that journey takes him.
The vision that Zimmerman paints of vibrant human colonies on the Moon, Mars, the asteroids, and beyond, indomitably fighting the harsh lifeless environment of space to build new societies, captures perfectly the emerging space race we see today.
He also captures in Pioneer the heart of the human spirit, willing to push forward no matter the odds, no matter the cost. It is that spirit that will make the exploration of the heavens possible, forever, into the never-ending future.
Available everywhere for $3.99 (before discount) at amazon, Barnes & Noble, all ebook vendors, or direct from the ebook publisher, ebookit.
And if you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and I get a bigger cut much sooner.
The new colonial movement: China yesterday released the first two images taken by its Mars orbiter Tianwen-1 of its planned rover landing site in the northern lowland plains of Mars.
The image to the right is a mosaic of two wide angle photos from the context camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The white cross is the spot of the latitude and longitude that had previously been leaked to the Chinese press as the landing site. The white box shows the area covered by the only high resolution MRO photo, as of October 2020. Since then MRO has taken a number of additional high resolution images of this area.
The red boxes mark the areas covered by Tianwen-1’s two new images. Below is a reduced version of the larger of these two photos.
Click for full image.
These two images confirm that this location was the rover’s prime landing site. However, the release of the images also included the announcement that they have pushed back the rover landing from late April to May or even June. Either they have decided it is going to take more time to cover this area with reconnaissance photos, or these first photos have forced them to reconsider the landing site.
That these two photos keyed in on the two largest features in this area suggests they are assessing the landing site. We do not know how much smooth territory the lander needs to settle down between these large features. Nor do we know the exact technology the lander will use to maneuver its way down. It could be it will use these images as reference, which means they must collect enough images to cover the entire area before landing.
Or it could be these images have told them this location won’t work and thus the delay in landing.
I think the answer is the former. However, we will have to wait to find out. China’s government is not going to be forthcoming with many details.
From the press release: From the moment he is handed a possibility of making the first alien contact, Saunders Maxwell decides he will do it, even if doing so takes him through hell and back.
Unfortunately, that is exactly where that journey takes him. The vision that Zimmerman paints of vibrant human colonies on the Moon, Mars, the asteroids, and beyond, indomitably fighting the harsh lifeless environment of space to build new societies, captures perfectly the emerging space race we see today. He also captures in Pioneer the heart of the human spirit, willing to push forward no matter the odds, no matter the cost. It is that spirit that will make the exploration of the heavens possible, forever, into the never-ending future. Available everywhere for $3.99 (before discount) at amazon, Barnes & Noble, all ebook vendors, or direct from the ebook publisher, ebookit. And if you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and I get a bigger cut much sooner.
IF, it actually hits the planet and does not RUD, it will likely “see” a scene very much like what Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance have observed over the past decades.
With respect to the entry, descent, and landing technology the Chinese might use, I see three basic options:
1. Skycrane
2. Airbag
3. Retrorockets
I think it must be Airbag, since it is the simplest choice and they have Spirit and Opportunity to copy.
Retrorockets leave you carrying your landing equipment around on a solar-powered rover, reducing ground performance significantly, thus they have been used only on stationary landers.
Skycrane seems risky for a highly-politically-visible first effort.
Other options, or conclusions?
Ray Van Dune: I think they will be using a combination of retrorockets and airbags. See this post from November 2019: China unveils Mars lander during landing simulation test
The test showed rockets being used to control the landing. I have read elsewhere that airbags will also be involved.
Bob, I do not understand what I am seeing in that Chinese video, but it looks like a nightmare rig! But I was wrong in saying retros were only used on landers not rovers. I was thinking only of on-vehicle retros, but I forgot about the retro packs used below the parachutes by Spirit and Opportunity, and fired at the last moment to cushion the landing of the airbag “ball”. I’ll bet the Chinese use that retro-airbag combo.