China's space agency displayed a mock-up of the proposed rover at the 2014 Zhuhai Air Show. (credit: defence.pk/cirr)
China appears to be moving forward with its Mars ambitions, as a key space official has confirmed that work is continuing toward launching an orbiter and lander by 2020 or 2022.
“We are aiming to use the launch window of 2020," Dr. Wu Ji, director-general of the National Space Science Center in Beijing, told the web site gbtimes. “If we miss that window, it will be 2022. So it is quite urgent.”
There has been discussion about the mission for several years, but the new report provides some additional detail about science payloads for both the orbiter and lander, including a ground penetrating radar. China also appears to be interested on further investigating the possible presence of methane and its implications for extant life on Mars.
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