China’s Mars Exploration Mission and Science Investigation

Li, Chunlai; Zhang, Rongqiao; Yu, Deng-Yun; Dong, Guangliang; Li, Jianjun; Geng, Yan; Sun, Zheng; Yan, Wei; Ren, Xin; Su, Yan; Zuo, Wei; Zhang, Tielong; Cao, Jinbin; Fang, Guangyou; Yang, Jianfeng; Shu, Rong; Lin, Yangting; Zou, Yongliao; Liu, Dawei; Liu, Bin; Kong, Deqing; Zhu, Xinying; Ouyang, Ziyuan

doi:10.1007/s11214-021-00832-9

Cited by 71 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…GRAS and the instruments teams will expect to follow the data release policy proposed by CNSA based on an official 5-6 months' proprietary period that is used by the teams to validate, calibrate, and perform preliminary scientific data exploration (Li et al 2021a). During this period, the data are released to specific users through offline copying (Li et al 2021b).…”

Section: In-flight Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Validation of the Scientific Data Products for China’s Tianwen-1 Mission

Zhang

et al. 2021

Space Sci Rev

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The Tianwen-1 mission is China’s first Mars exploration mission. To complete the scientific objectives of “orbiting, landing, and patrolling” in one mission, thirteen instruments for acquiring multi-disciplinary data are configured. The data products with rich ancillary data and flexible structures will facilitate the data application. To integrate the requirements of experts from disparate disciplines and leverage new information technologies, a complete redesign of data products is promoted in the Tianwen-1 mission. We discuss the whole process of data product generation from the data pipeline design to data validation. We design the various data products according to the application requirements of each data type, including radar echo data, spectrum data, image data, energy spectrum data, magnetic field data, meteorological data, and acoustic data. Since various error sources will exist in the generation chain of the data products, data validation is essential before release to the public; the validation activities are discussed at the end. We deliver these scientific products to the community in a timely manner, with ancillary information and quality information. This paper can provide practical reference for Tianwen-1 data application.

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Section: In-flight Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Validation of the Scientific Data Products for China’s Tianwen-1 Mission

Zhang

et al. 2021

Space Sci Rev

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“…The HiRIC onboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter operates in a linear sweep mode to obtain panchromatic optical images of the Martian surface with a resolution of over 2.5 m in normal areas and 0.5 m in key areas [4]. Since the sweep coverage width of HiRIC is about 9 km at the height of 265 km, multiple sweep orbital images of two preselected landing areas, located in the Chryse Planitia plain, the Isidis Planitia, and partly in Utopia Planitia, were captured, respectively [4,6]. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and a DOM of the landing area were produced and provided by Key Laboratory of Lunar and Deep Space Exploration, National Astronomical Observatories, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.…”

Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After about seven months, the Tianwen-1 probe, composed of an orbiter, lander and the Zhurong rover, entered the Martian orbit and then activated the 3000-Newton-thrust orbital-control engine to decelerate the probe on 11 February 2021 (UTC+8), to make the probe captured by the Martian gravity [2]. By moving to the elliptical orbit with a perigee of about 400 km [3], the equipped moderate resolution imaging camera (MoRIC) and the HiRIC acquired images of the Martian surface [4][5][6][7]. The HiRIC is responsible for detailed topographic mapping of the key areas, including the two preselected landing areas [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visual Localization of the Tianwen-1 Lander Using Orbital, Descent and Rover Images

Wan

et al. 2021

Remote Sensing

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Tianwen-1, China’s first Mars exploration mission, was successfully landed in the southern part of Utopia Planitia on 15 May 2021 (UTC+8). Timely and accurately determining the landing location is critical for the subsequent mission operations. For timely localization, the remote landmarks, selected from the panorama generated by the earliest received Navigation and Terrain Cameras (NaTeCam) images, were matched with the Digital Orthophoto Map (DOM) generated by high resolution imaging camera (HiRIC) images to obtain the initial result based on the triangulation method. Then, the initial localization result was refined by the descent images received later and the NaTeCam DOM. Finally, the lander location was determined to be (25.066°N, 109.925°E). Verified by the new orbital image with the lander and Zhurong rover visible, the localization accuracy was within a pixel of the HiRIC DOM.

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“…Tianwen-1 was China's first Mars exploration mission, and its scientific objectives were primarily focused on two scientific problems regarding the environment in which life existed and the origin and evolution of Mars and the solar system (Wan et al 2020;Li et al 2021a). The mission included five main objectives: mapping the morphology and geological structure of Mars, investigating the surface regolith characteristics and water-ice distribution on Mars, analyzing the surface material composition, measuring the ionosphere and the characteristics of the Martian climate and environment at the surface, and perceiving the physical fields (electromagnetic and gravitational) and internal structure of Mars .…”

Section: Data Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…∼5 cm (surface to 2 m) Radar onboard CE3/CE4 measures along the cruise route with two channels of high and low frequencies; radar onboard CE5 is a scanning antenna array composed of 12 antennas to carry out in situ investigation total of 13 scientific payloads were used to achieve scientific objectives, including seven on the orbiter and six on the rover (Table 1, Li et al 2021a). At present, the first three lunar exploration missions (Chang'e-1, Chang'e-2 and Chang'e-3) have been completed.…”

Section: Lunar Regolith Penetrating Radar (Lrpr)mentioning

confidence: 99%

China’s Lunar and Planetary Data System: Preserve and Present Reliable Chang’e Project and Tianwen-1 Scientific Data Sets

Zhang

Zeng

et al. 2021

Space Sci Rev

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Data infrastructure systems such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Planetary Data System (PDS), European Space Agency (ESA) Planetary Data Archive (PSA)and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Data Archive and Transmission System (DARTS) archive large amounts of scientific data obtained through dozens of planetary exploration missions and have made great contributions to studies of lunar and planetary science. Since China started lunar exploration activities in 2007, the Ground Research and Application System (GRAS), one of the five systems developed as part of China’s Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) and the Planetary Exploration of China (PEC), has gradually established China’s Lunar and Planetary Data System (CLPDS), which involves the archiving, management and long-term preservation of scientific data from China’s lunar and planetary missions; additionally, data are released according to the policies established by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The scientific data archived by the CLPDS are among the most important achievements of the CLEP and PEC and provide a resource for the international planetary science community. The system plays a key and important role in helping scientists obtain fundamental and original research results, advancing studies of lunar and planetary science in China, and improving China’s international influence in the field of lunar and planetary exploration. This paper, starting from CLEP and PEC mission planning, explains the sources, classification, format and content of the lunar and Mars exploration data archived in the CLPDS. Additionally, the system framework and core functions of the system, such as data archiving, management and release, are described. The system can be used by the international planetary science community to comprehensively understand the data obtained in the CLEP and PEC, help scientists easily access and better use the available data resources, and contribute to fundamental studies of international lunar and planetary science. Moreover, since China has not yet systematically introduced the CLPDS, through this article, international data organizations could learn about this advanced system. Therefore, opportunities for international data cooperation can be created, and the data service capability of the CLPDS can be improved, thus promoting global data sharing and application for all humankind.

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China’s Mars Exploration Mission and Science Investigation

Cited by 71 publications

References 31 publications

Design and Validation of the Scientific Data Products for China’s Tianwen-1 Mission

Design and Validation of the Scientific Data Products for China’s Tianwen-1 Mission

Visual Localization of the Tianwen-1 Lander Using Orbital, Descent and Rover Images

China’s Lunar and Planetary Data System: Preserve and Present Reliable Chang’e Project and Tianwen-1 Scientific Data Sets

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