Picture released on Aug. 23, 2016 by lunar probe and space project center of Chinese State Adiministration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence shows the concept portraying what the Mars rover and lander would look like. Image of China's Mars probe was also released Tuesday. (Photo: Xinhua)
(ECNS) -- China unveiled the designs for the country's first Mars probe and rover on Tuesday, and issued an invitation globally for suggestions about the name and logo of the mission.
Zhang Rongqiao, chief designer for the first Mars mission, said the effort will face daunting challenges in its plans to orbit, land and deploy a rover on the red planet, all in one mission. The probe is expected to reach Mars in 2021 after a journey of about seven months.
The design shows that the orbiter, which will be carried by China's new-generation Long March-5 heavy-lift rocket, has three panels on each side. The lander will descend toward the surface of Mars with four landing legs extending from the sides, as can be seen in the artist's rendering.
In another illustration, the rover is depicted moving from the lander to the surface of the planet along two conveyor belts. After reaching the surface, the rover will open four irregular-shaped panels.
Liu Jizhong, director of the lunar exploration program and the space engineering center, said the call for naming and design ideas is meant to promote awareness of the Mars mission and encourage youth to be interested in science.
The works submitted need to comply with China's trademark laws and be creative, unique and expandable. They also need to fit with Chinese culture, social customs and ethics. A panel of space experts, designers and cultural celebrities will help evaluate the submissions.
