China’s plans in space

China’s first Mars probe, Tianwen-1, is expected to arrive at the red planet this Wednesday. After about nine months in space and some minor course corrections, the probe is expected to enter the orbit of Mars. The first black-and-white images taken by Tianwen-1 on its approach to Mars already reached Earth over the weekend. The Chinese are not alone in their Mars mission. In addition to the US Perseverance mission, which is to bring a new rover and, for the time being, a small helicopter to Mars, the United Arab Emirates also has a spacecraft in the running with its Hope orbiter.