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China's Mars Mission: Long March-5 rocket ready for liftoff

CGTN

China's Mars Mission: Long March-5 rocket ready for liftoff

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[video:China's Mars Mission Long March-5 rocket ready for liftoff]

On the morning of July 17, China's fourth Long March-5 rocket was moved to its launch pad ahead of expected liftoff in a few days. CGTN's Wu Lei talks to the engineers and scientists responsible for the country's next ambitious milestone in its space program.

WU LEI Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan "This is China's largest carrier rocket, the Long March-5, now being rolled on a mobile platform to the launch pad. Today's heat, almost 34 degrees Celsius, can only be matched by the atmosphere of excitement right here."

Reporter:Have you watched a rocket launch before?

"No, this is my first time."

Reporter:What do you expect?

"I wish for a successful launch. I think we'll make it."

I have covered the launch of several rockets from Wenchang, but what makes the transfer of this rocket so special? In a few days, this Long March-5 will lift China's Mars probe into orbit. The operator of the transit vehicle needs to be very careful to make sure the rocket and its valuable cargo will be positioned correctly.

WU LEI Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan "It's just less than three kilometers from the assembly building to the launch pad, but it will take two hours to get the rocket safely in place."

GE XIAOCHUN, CHIEF ENGINEER China National Space Administration "We cooperate with the French and Austrian space agencies. We are equipped with a series of their payloads. We also want to offer our knowledge to the international community for a peaceful exploration of space."

WU LEI Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan "When the rocket arrives at the launch pad, rotating platforms on the two sides of the tower will encircle it to allow final checks, fueling, and the countdown."

The China National Space Administration says the Tianwen-1 will open a new chapter in China's quest to explore deep space. WL, CGTN, Wenchang Space Launch Center.



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