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After completing its initial program, China's Zhurong Mars Rover is continuing to explore the red-colored planet. It searches for frozen water and other clues that might indicate if it was once home to life.
China's National Space Administration stated on Friday that Zhurong had completed its 90-day program Aug. 15, and was now in excellent technical condition.
It stated that it would continue exploring the Utopia Planitia area where it landed on May 14th. Zhurong has been sending back photos and data using the Tianwen-1 orbiter, which crosses it once per day.
China is second after the United States to land and sustainably operate spacecrafts on Mars. Mars' days are 40 minutes longer on Mars than Earth's.
Zhurong, at 1.85m (6 feet) tall, is much smaller than the American Perseverance Rover, which is exploring Mars with a small helicopter. NASA expects that its rover will collect its first sample in July and return to Earth by 2031.
China is currently assembling its permanent space station. Three astronauts are now aboard the Tianhe (or Heavenly Harmony) core, which was launched into orbit on April 29. Two astronauts completed Friday's second spacewalk. They will all be returning to Earth in September to be replaced by a new crew.
China had previously launched two smaller space stations. It was omitted from the International Space Station due to the United States' insistence. The United States is suspicious of China's secretive space program and close military ties. Any cooperation between NASA or the CNSA requires congressional approval.
China recently returned lunar samples. This is the first time that any country has done so since 1970s. It also landed a probe on the moon's far side and a rover.
China was the first country to send an astronaut into space in 2003. It is now only the third country to do this.
Further Photos: Chinese rover seen on the Martian surface
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