Chinese Mars Mission

[plutogno]

I haven't seen these linked on this forum, although they have been around for some time: two presentations at the 7th UK - China Workshop on Space Science and Technology
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/RALSpace/resources/PDF/WANGXiaoyong_3_ChineseMarsProbes.pdf
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/RALSpace/resources/PDF/HUZhaohui-MarsPenetrator-YuanYong.pdf

[go4mars]

"Ye Peijian, chief scientist of deep space exploration at the China Academy of Space Technology, told China Daily last year that China has developed the ability to closely monitor the Red Planet. This is due to a deep space network under construction, progress in developing the necessary launch vehicle and two lunar satellites."

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/01/20/russia-china-joint-mars-exploration-fails.html

I wonder what he means by "closely monitor the Red Planet"...

[spectre9]

Seems like a strange thing to say.

Scientific observation or do they just want to watch what Curiosity is doing? 

[Steven Pietrobon]

I believe what they mean by "closely monitor" is deep space communications with Chinese Mars probes.

[plutogno]

a Chinese Journal of Space Sciences paper on Mars airplanes (which are completely out of fashion in the US and Europe) http://www.cjss.ac.cn/qikan/epaper/zhaiyao.asp?bsid=16272

[go4mars]

I believe what they mean by "closely monitor" is deep space communications with Chinese Mars probes.

Do we know much about what these Chinese Mars probes are capable of observing/communicating?

[plutogno]

China considers more Mars probes before 2030
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-10/10/c_123806897.htm

[plutogno]

I don't remember where I found these, but well... looks familiar, right?
a translation of the panel would be welcome.

[luhai167]

I don't remember where I found these, but well... looks familiar, right?
a translation of the panel would be welcome.

The panel just about about technology testing etc. Probably a technology demonstrator for possible mars landing.

[MadCow]

I don't remember where I found these, but well... looks familiar, right?
a translation of the panel would be welcome.

The board reads:

"Mars landing technique

Mars omni-directional cushion landing airbag as the main object of study, mastered the airbag cushion landing system buffering rules and principles of engineering design, developed prototype of soft landing vehicle with cushion airbag, and conducted demonstration tests."

[savuporo]

Mars omni-directional cushion landing airbag as the main object of study, mastered the airbag cushion landing system buffering rules and principles of engineering design, developed prototype of soft landing vehicle with cushion airbag, and conducted demonstration tests."

I hope they come to their senses and recognize quickly that this was a technological dead end. Invest in propulsive precision landing instead that they JUST showed off on the moon.

[JulesVerneATV]

Hi guys great coverage as usual, I got wonderful following your posts on China's asteroid encounter and its Moon lander. The planetary society's Emily Lakdawalla was following reports from Chinese tv :
" A reporter asked about Mars exploration. Again, a very interesting response, from Wu Weiren. He talked about how India had sent an orbiter to the Moon, an orbiter that failed to achieve its design lifetime of two years in orbit. They have launched a spacecraft to Mars, he said, but if I understand the translations correctly he seemed to be expressing reservations that they would be able to survive the long trip, based upon their past performance: "the future is uncertain." By contrast, he said, China's approach is "comprehensive," systematic, methodical, "every step laying a solid foundation for the next step." India, in contrast, is "leaping, mainly wanting to show strength." Perhaps, he implies, they are overreaching. "We are not competing with them, although they may want to compete with us; the mentality is not the same." I must admit, if I were Indian, I'd be a little affronted by these words! But the points he makes are fair. Wu goes on to say that China already established the technological capability to explore Mars with the success of Chang'e 1 and 2; it would be "easy." It's simply not their goal at present. A strong statement. [15:17]"
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2013/12172045-change-3-update.html

So they admit Mars may be their final goal but they are not rushing to get there yet

[plutogno]

my impression is that they are performing mission studies but that the government itself still has not given the go ahead to any of them

[plutogno]

yet another news release on the topic: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-03/01/c_133151929.htm

"But the time to go [to Mars] will depend on the country's budget and decision,"

[Satori]

From People's Daily: China at technical preparation stage for Mars, asteroid exploration.

[plutogno]

from Xinhua (in Chinese), a model of the Chinese Mars probe exhibited in China
http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2015-11/02/c_128385979.htm

[Dalhousie]

from Xinhua (in Chinese), a model of the Chinese Mars probe exhibited in China
http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2015-11/02/c_128385979.htm

Beagle 2 sized lander?

[Lsquirrel]

from Xinhua (in Chinese), a model of the Chinese Mars probe exhibited in China
http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2015-11/02/c_128385979.htm

Beagle 2 sized lander?

Bigger Viking, with a MER sized Rover

[Dalhousie]

from Xinhua (in Chinese), a model of the Chinese Mars probe exhibited in China
http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2015-11/02/c_128385979.htm

Beagle 2 sized lander?

Bigger Viking, with a MER sized Rover

That seems unlikely if that is a full scale mockup, scaling from the people in the photo.  Or is it a scale model?

[savuporo]

A one-third scale model according to gbtimes
http://gbtimes.com/china/chinas-2020-mars-probe-unveiled