Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have taken a major step in the exploration of Mars by creating the first detailed color map of the Red Planet. The project was made possible by data collected by the Tianwen-1 mission, launched in 2020 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The mission consisted of six robotic elements: an orbiter, a lander, three high-sensitivity cameras, and the Zhurong rover. Tianwen-1 studied the planet for almost four years, transmitting thousands of images and data on its geology and climate back to Earth. The most difficult part of the scientists' job was color-correcting the images, which required color matching and calibration.
Contents
- 1 How was the map of Mars created?
- 2 Why map the Red Planet?
- 3 The Tianwen-1 mission
- 4 The Tianwen-3 mission
- 5 Not just Mars
How was the map of Mars created?
The map is based on 14,800 images taken at a resolution of 76 meters per pixel, which allowed for a high level of detail. By combining the images taken from orbit with an array of other data collected during the mission, as well as data obtained by other space expeditions, scientists have obtained one of the most accurate maps of Mars created to date.
A key element of the work was color correction: to create a realistic map, the researchers developed algorithms that allow them to adjust the colors of the images so that they display the natural shades of the Martian surface. This work was especially important to ensure the accuracy of the visualization, since previous maps had deviations in the color gamut due to various factors affecting the shooting from orbit.
Thus, the images were taken in different locations under different lighting angles. The quality of the images was also affected by the layers of the Martian atmosphere. Fortunately, the researchers managed to create a kind of “seamless mosaic” in which all deviations between images were significantly reduced (to one pixel).
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Why map the Red Planet?
Since Tianwen-1 included six research instruments at once, scientists were able to study the internal structure of Mars, which is especially important for finding water and possible locations for future colonies. Thus, the new map will be used for planned Mars missions, both robotic and manned.
Moreover, it will help scientists learn more about the planet's geology, as the map allows them to observe changes in relief and surface features with much greater precision than ever before. Researchers will also be able to study Martian phenomena such as volcanic activity and erosion in more detail.
Although other countries, including the US and the EU, are also developing their own missions and maps of Mars, the work created using Tianwen-1 data is the first to provide such detailed, true-color representation of the surface and will serve as a basis for cooperation between space agencies in different countries.
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Tianwen-1 Mission
Tianwen-1 is China's first independent interplanetary mission to Mars, launched on July 23, 2020 from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on a Long March-5 launch vehicle. Its goal was not only to reach Mars, but also to successfully conduct a comprehensive study of its surface and atmosphere using an orbiter and a rover.
The scientific instruments of Tianwen-1 allow for a detailed study of the Martian topography and geological research. Thus, the radar is capable of “seeing” to a depth of up to 100 meters under the planet’s surface, which allows for the search for signs of water or ice, the experts noted.
The device reached Mars on February 10, 2021, and entered its orbit, making China the third country to successfully launch a mission to the Red Planet, after the United States and the Soviet Union. After several months of orbital maneuvering, the descent module with the rover successfully made a soft landing in the Utopia Planitia, located in the northern Martian region.
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The Zhurong rover traveled more than 1,900 meters, collecting data on the planet's soil, atmospheric conditions, and magnetic field. Its scientific instruments include a weather station to measure temperature and pressure, a ground-penetrating radar, and a multispectral camera to analyze the chemical composition of the soil.
As our regular readers already know, all the main tasks of the mission were completed. It is noteworthy that the Zhurong rover continued its work until May 2022, when it had to be put into “sleep mode” due to powerful dust storms. However, China plans to use the orbiter for further observations of the planet and testing technologies needed for future missions.
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Now, the creation of the most detailed and colorful map of the Red Planet will help researchers around the world to further explore the world closest to Earth. Recall that further steps include the possible colonization of Mars.
Tianwen-3 Mission
China has announced an ambitious plan to launch another Mars mission, Tianwen-3, to retrieve samples from the planet and return them to Earth by around 2028, mission chief designer Liu Jizhong said at a deep space exploration event in Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province, on Sept. 5.
The mission is expected to be the world's first such effort, with scientists from other countries collaborating with Chinese scientists to share samples and data.
The mission's top priority is to search for traces of life on the Red Planet. The plan consists of 13 stages that will use remote sensing techniques to conduct comprehensive studies of the samples, ensuring their successful return and the possibility of making significant scientific discoveries, Liu said.
The chief engineer also noted that Tianwen-3 will adhere to international treaties to ensure that both Mars and Earth remain uncontaminated and the integrity of the samples is maintained. International cooperation on the mission will be carried out in three areas: payload interaction, sample and data sharing, and future mission planning.
Recall that humanity's journey to explore the Red Planet began 64 years ago with the Soviet Union's expedition to Mars in 1960. To date, a total of seven countries and international organizations have conducted 47 expeditions to study the planet, including orbital flights, landings, and the launch of ground rovers. However, the difficult task of returning samples from Mars remains unfulfilled.
Today, judging by the progress of various countries, China may become the first country to return samples from Mars, said Wu Weiren, chief developer of China's lunar exploration project, during the celebration of China's Space Day on April 24 this year.
According to Wu, the Tianwen-4 mission, for which China is conducting a feasibility study, will explore Jupiter and its moons and then arrive at Uranus.
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Not only Mars
Let us also recall that researchers are actively preparing for the Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions, which are planned for 2025 and 2026, respectively, and continue to assemble key equipment before launches to the Moon.
Artemis 2 is designed to send four astronauts around the moon, while Artemis 3 will be the first crewed lunar landing mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The NASA-led program has dozens of international partners, and the agreements are aimed at establishing a long-term presence on the lunar surface in preparation for future missions to Mars and interplanetary travel.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has previously sent two service modules to the Earth's satellite: the first flew around the Moon and returned in 2022, and the second is now undergoing tests for the launch of planned missions.
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Once the European service module arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, engineers will connect it to the crew module adapter and then to the module itself, conducting many tests before, during, and after to properly prepare for the upcoming mission.