On May 14, 2021, China launched its first mission to Mars, which included an orbiter, a lander, and the Zhurong rover. After successfully landing on the red planet, Zhurong began its three-month mission to gather information on the climate, geology, and possible life on Mars. However, after completing its task, the rover went into hibernation to protect itself from the harsh Martian winter and has not sent signals since.
The silence of the Zhurong
Nearly a year after the Zhurong went into hibernation, China has provided an official update on its status. Zhang Rongqiao, the chief designer of China’s Mars exploration program, has confirmed that there has been no communication with the rover since it went into hibernation and that a pile of dust is believed to have blocked the sunlight it needs to generate power. .
Scientists and space mission experts know that missions to Mars are especially difficult due to the great distance, the need to account for the planet’s atmosphere, and the challenges posed by the Martian climate. But this is not an obstacle that only the Chinese have experienced. NASA has also suffered similar problems, such as the loss of the InSight probe last year due to a lack of solar power.
China’s lack of transparency
China’s official update on the status of the Zhurong has come after months of speculation and unconfirmed reports about the vehicle’s situation. China has always been known for being secretive about its space projects, sharing information only when it deems it necessary. This has led some to question China’s ability to carry out complex space missions, while others praise the country’s determination to advance in this field.
The importance of space exploration
Despite the challenges and failures, space exploration remains one of the most important areas of science and technology. As the planet faces increasing challenges, the possibility of finding new resources, establishing colonies on other planets, and discovering new life forms becomes more attractive and necessary.
Space exploration has also led to important discoveries in fields such as medicine, physics and computing, so the failure of the Zhurong should not discourage China and other countries from continuing to explore space. Space missions are difficult and there are many obstacles along the way, but each attempt is an opportunity to learn and improve. With each success and failure, humanity moves one step closer to fully understanding the universe and the possibilities it offers.
Image: South China Morning Post via Weibo
