Today (January 1), the China National Space Administration released the latest image returned by the Tianwen-1 probe, China's first Mars exploration mission, showing the working status of the orbiter and zhurong rover from multiple angles.
Currently, the orbiter is in an elliptical orbit, so that the best observation effect can only be obtained when the near-fire point is reached, so the orbiter uses a "drift" approach to global detection. The "drift" of the north and south poles completes the global remote sensing exploration of Mars
Figuratively speaking, "drift" refers to the orbiter moving between the south and north poles of Mars. Although the orbital position and altitude of the orbiter are unchanged, under the force of the Rotation of Mars, the orbiter will move a little with each circle of its position, so that global remote sensing data on Mars can be obtained through long-term orbital flight.
Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Mars probe system, the fifth academy of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group: A circle around Mars is about 7 hours. We are in the near fire point, closer to Mars, our remote sensing, detection capabilities can be higher, optical resolution can be further improved, so we use such a near fire drift, and then use time in exchange for our close remote sensing of the Martian globe.
In addition to global remote sensing, the orbiter also undertakes the relay communication mission of the Zhurong rover. Therefore, in the process of orbiting the aircraft, it needs to meet the needs of different tasks by constantly adjusting the attitude.
Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Mars probe system in the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group: When we want remote sensing, the payload side of the orbiter must orient Mars, and the solar wing must also orient the sun, and the antenna must also orient the ground. When relaying, we also have to adjust to the attitude of relay communication, so the orbiter task is still relatively heavy during flight.
Multiple designs to ensure that the data obtained is authentic and reliable
Now the scientific payload carried by the orbiter is constantly acquiring data, and in order to ensure the smooth progress of the mission, the developers have specially designed these devices to ensure that the probe data obtained is more efficient.
Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Mars probe system in the fifth academy of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group: Because there are many types of detection of the payload, the elements it detects are also different, so the factors affected by it are also different, so we must design and ensure these different factors and different sensitive characteristics in a targeted manner.
In the local close-up image of the surrounder, you can see that there is an outstretched rod above the surrounder, called the magnetometer extension rod, its role is to keep the magnetometer as far away from the surrounder as possible, thereby reducing the magnetic field generated by the surrounder itself to the interference of the device.
Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Mars probe system of the fifth academy of aerospace science and technology group: The role of solar photovoltaic is converted from solar energy to electrical energy, and the electric energy is to be delivered to our detector, and the flow of current will produce a certain electromagnetic induction effect, and the noise at the bottom of your detection is very large.
The exploration of Mars is an extremely delicate task, and various factors in space will have an impact on the results of the exploration. When the optical device on the orbiter is disturbed by direct sunlight and reflected light, it will cause blurry images and affect data accuracy. Therefore, at the beginning of the design, the developers made full consideration of the material of the surrounder and the shading design.
Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Mars probe system of the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group: (Optical payload) may be affected by some stray light, so that we have some hoods, including the surface treatment of some protrusions in its field of view, etc., and also meet the detection requirements of the payload in such a way, to reduce the possible impact of the surrounding body on it.
The Rover is on steady track and could encounter challenges next year
In addition to the orbiter, the Zhurong rover, which is conducting a patrol exploration on the surface of Mars, is also constantly transmitting back exploration data. At present, the rover has accumulated more than 1400 meters and is continuing to travel towards the south side of the landing site.
According to the plan, the mission of the Zhurong rover is a 90-day mars day patrol exploration. Now, Zhu Rong has been working on the surface of Mars for 7 months and is overdue for service.
Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Mars rover system in the fifth academy of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group: (good state) thanks to two aspects, on the one hand, our own equipment is in good condition, and there is also a Mars weather this period of time is also very good, there is no obvious sand dust. Therefore, under such conditions, we Zhu Rong rover can also carry out patrol exploration missions on the surface of Mars more efficiently, and also obtain a large amount of scientific exploration data.
At present, Mars is in the summer, the weather is sunny, there is no obvious extreme weather, which creates good conditions for the Zhurong rover to continue to drive. But by the end of next year, Mars is about to enter winter, and complex weather conditions and gradually decreasing lighting will pose a challenge for the rover to continue to drive.
Sun Zezhou, chief designer of the Mars rover system in the fifth academy of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group: The local temperature will be lower in winter, and then the angle of incidence of the sun will gradually decrease, and more is extreme weather, which is equivalent to dark day, solar energy is basically unable to produce electrical energy, which is a very serious challenge for us.
Source: CCTV News