The China National Space Administration launched Tianwen-1, a robotic mission to Mars, earlier today! The name Tianwen means "Heavenly Questions" or "Questions to Heaven".
After a failed partnership with Russia in 2011, China began their own project which culminated in the launch today. The spacecraft consists of an orbiter and a lander with a rover. The lander will use a parachute, retrorockets and an airbag to land on the surface of Mars. The lander will release a rover.
It should enter orbit around Mars in February 2021, and the lander should touch down in April.
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