Chinese scientists have constructed a numerical model to simulate the Martian atmosphere and assist the country’s plans to collect rock samples from the Red Planet. The model replicates the cycles of dust, water and carbon dioxide in Mars’ atmosphere. It will be used to simulate meteorological conditions for landing spacecraft, including surface temperature, wind and dust. China plans to launch its Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission between 2028 and 2030. A lander will collect up to 500 grams of Martian material using a drill and a robotic arm. An ascent vehicle will then blast the precious cargo back into Mars orbit, to meet up with an awaiting orbiter for the long journey home.
The new atmospheric model “can simulate the temperatures of the landing zone, and scientists can use this data to design materials that are suitable for building Mars rovers to cope with extreme cold,” lead researcher Wang Bin said. The model was built using data from China’s now-defunct Mars rover Zhurong, NASA’s Viking 1 and 2 landers and the OpenMARS reanalysis dataset.
A selfie of China’s first-ever Mars rover, Zhurong, and its lander, captured by a deployed remote camera
© Getty / Alamy