The head of the National Directorate of the USA on Aeronautics and space research (NASA) James Breidenstein welcomed the successful launch of the Chinese rocket CZ-5 ("Changzheng-5") with the first Chinese probe to Mars "Tangwan-1". About this he wrote Thursday on his Twitter
"After today’s launch, China is close to enter into the community of international researchers from Mars. USA, Europe, Russia, India, and soon the UAE will welcome you to Mars in the amazing year of scientific discoveries. Safe flight, "Tangwan-1"! – stated in the message.
"Changzheng-5" kicked off Thursday from the Baikonur Wenchang (South Hainan province) at approximately 12:40 local time (07:40 GMT). To cover the distance from Earth to the red planet, which at various times ranging from 55 million to 400 million km, will take seven months, about three months "Tangwan-1" will stay in orbit around Mars, photographing the surface of the planet and conducting the measurements, and then go down to the surface where your problems will begin to carry the Rover.
Among the main objectives of the mission will study the Martian surface, composition of the soil, characteristics of the atmosphere and climatic conditions, as well as search for water and signs of life.
The name of the program of the PRC for the development of Mars "Tanwani" was published in April. It symbolizes the traditional love of the nation to the knowledge of the truths of the universe, the pursuit of research and innovation, and translates as "questions to the sky" – in honor of the works of the great Chinese poet qu Yuan (340-278 BC).
