중국, 첫 화성탐사선 '톈원 1호' 발사... 내년 2월께 도착
Aiming to become a global leader in space, China has launched its first Mars probe.
If it successfully lands on the Red Planet, China will become the world's third country to succeed in landing a vehicle on Mars.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
China declared on Thursday that it has successfully launched an unmanned probe to Mars.
"I now declare the launch of China's first Mars exploration mission a complete success."
The probe, named "Tianwen-1" in Chinese, that translates literally into "Questions to Heaven,"... is the country's first independent mission to another planet,... and it highlights Beijing's desire to become a global leader in space.
It blasted off with China's largest carrier rocket at 12:41 p.m. Thursday from a launch center on the southern island of Hainan,... and entered its expected trajectory at around 1:25 p.m.
The probe, which consists of a combined orbiter, lander and rover, will now begin its months-long journey in space and arrive at Mars in February 2021.
Its primary mission is to look for signs of life on the Red Planet,... aiming to answer questions like "Is there life on the planet?" or "How are the conditions and environment like in Mars?"
Beijing highlighted the mission is a scientific exploration,... and is not about competing with others,... especially dismissing concerns on the possibility of increased frictions with the U.S.
"This first mission to Mars is a scientific exploration project, which is about using space peacefully. It is doing a service for humanity. This project is not competing with anyone in particular. We are coordinating and cooperating with others. We would like to develop more international cooperation."
China's first mission to Mars was in 2011,... which ended in a failure.
So far, only the U.S. and the then-Soviet Union have previously succeeded in landing a vehicle on the planet.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.
