China’s Zhurong rover is depicted on the surface of Mars (CNSA/AP)China’s first Mars rover has driven down from its landing platform and is now roaming the surface of the red planet, Beijing’s space administration said. The solar-powered rover touched Martian soil at 10.40am Beijing time (3.40am BST), the China National Space Administration revealed. China landed the spacecraft carrying the rover on Mars last Saturday, a technically challenging feat more difficult than a moon landing, in a first for the country. The US also has an ongoing Mars mission, with the Perseverance rover and a tiny helicopter exploring the planet. Nasa expects the rover to collect its first sample in July for return to Earth in a decade.

Source: Irish Independent May 22, 2021 09:00 UTC