Well, this reporter statement that China's Mars mission will be performed by the end of the year is obviously inaccurate. The Mars mission's window is in July - August, while end of the year is the Chang'e 5 mission to send back moon rock samples. The main challenge of this Mars mission is the use of China's own deep space network to provide tracking and telemetry, unlike others who relied on NASA's DSN. Of course, the Mars lander is also a major challenge not only in the landing itself, but also require a heavy lift rocket such as the CZ-5 to send it there.Mars probe test succeeds for China's 2020 mission
20:09, 10-Mar-2020
By Pan Zhaoyi
A simulated Mars base camp in Gansu Province /VCG
Scientists and engineers in Beijing have completed the first wireless communication and connection test of a Mars project on Tuesday, setting the path for the journey to the red planet this year.
The test verified the signal transmission and interfaces compatibility between the ground system and Mars probes, as well as other related hardware and software, according to Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
Just a couple of months ago, the lander successfully underwent a hovering-and-obstacle avoidance test at a sprawling site, a place simulating the uneven terrain on Mars in Hebei Province, proving its capability to navigate on the descent to the planet's surface.
If all goes smoothly, China's Mars mission will be performed by the end of the year. The country's strongest carrier rocket, the Long March-5 will send the probe into the geosynchronous orbit. "The journey through space will take about seven months, while landing will take seven minutes," said Zhang Rongqiao, chief architect of the Mars exploration program.
The mission will examine the red planet's atmosphere, landscape, geological and magnetic characteristics, which could provide clues to the origin and evolution of Mars and the solar system, Ye Jianpei, chief scientist of Space Science and Deep-space Exploration with the Chinese Space Technology Academy explained.
Related link: CGTN - Mars probe test succeeds for China's 2020 mission
Oh yeah, one more thing. Tomorrow may be the launch date of CZ-7A. I'm still not sure if the payload is what I think it is. If not, then it's going to be launched by a CZ-2F in later half of the year. The hint is this mock up PS:
