CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Zhurong (Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhùróng) is an active Mars rover that is China’s first rover to land on another planet (having previously landed two rovers on the Moon). It is part of the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars conducted by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Detailed explanation-2: -China launched Tianwen 1 in July 2020 and the mission’s rover, named Zhurong, touched down on the Red Planet in May 2021. The duo explored Mars smoothly until May 2022, when Zhurong was put into hibernation, hunkering down for the harsh winter.

Detailed explanation-3: -The 10 names-Hongyi, Qilin, Nezha, Chitu, Zhurong, Qiusuo, Fenghuolun, Zhuimeng, Tianxing and Xinghuo-are taken from ideas including Chinese mythological figures, Confucian concepts and legendary animals.

Detailed explanation-4: -Zhurong is located in a plains area called Utopia Planitia. The rover delivered an adorable selfie and traveled over a mile across the planet’s surface. The historic mission made China the only country besides the US to operate a rover on Mars.