China’s Zhurong rover has traveled more than one kilometer on the surface of Mars as part of its mission to the planet, the official Xinhua news agency reported Monday.
The program of studies carried out by the spacecraft, which is equipped with a range of specialized devices, includes imaging the planet’s surface and collecting information about its geological structure, weather phenomena, water ice patches and the effects of life on Mars.
The Center for Lunar Studies and Space Program of the China National Space Administration had previously reported that the main phase of the “Zhurong” mission ended on August 15, and that experts during its work on Mars since it began on May 22, obtained more than 10 gigabytes of data.
The Chinese spacecraft is scheduled to continue collecting information on Mars despite the end of most of its missions.
The CNSA added that the rover will continue to move to the boundary zone between the ancient sea and land in the southern part of Utopia Planitia to carry out tasks.