Published: 3 sep 2021 02:11 GMT The drone would carry a microspectrometer, but it is not specified in which mission it would be used. A prototype “cruise drone” designed to fly over the surface of Mars passed a final acceptance review on August 20, according to announced it this Wednesday the National Center for Space Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The presentation of the new red planet exploration tool It comes months after China landed a robotic rover on Mars. The image of the device has been published on the Twitter account of Global Times, a Chinese state news outlet. Researchers with China’s National Space Science Center, CAS, recently approved Beijing Science & Technology Commission’s examination of [#Mars] drone prototype, which will enable Chinese scientists to further explore Mars. [pic.twitter.com/iX3MaFcwIE] — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) [September 2, 2021] The spatial milestone took place in May this year, within the framework of the China’s maiden mission on Mars , which is part of the country’s ambitious future space exploration plans. Last week, the róver chino Zhurong, weighing 240 kilos, which is powered by solar batteries, fulfilled its hundredth day working on the Martian surface and marked the milestone of 1,000 meters traveled from its point of descent. The helicopter is one of three projects in a technological development program promoted by the National Center for Space Sciences. It is reported that the vehicle project will be led by Bian Chunjiang and that the drone would carry a micro spectrometer. However, the statement does not specify in which mission the drone would be used. Earlier, it was reported that Wang Xiaojun, the director of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, shared “the roadmap of human exploration of Mars” during a virtual meeting within the framework of the Global Space Exploration Conference held in Russia. its three step strategy on the red planet includes robotic exploration, initial human exploration and, finally, “routine human explorations”. As part of the plan, Wang revealed that China hopes to build a base at the site and initiate the development of “a large-scale transport fleet from Earth to Mars.”
