Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


China Tests Mars Lander in Push for International Cooperation

Associated Press

   HUAILAI, CHINA - China invited observers to a successful test Thursday
   of its Mars lander as the country pushes for inclusion in more global
   space projects.

   The demonstration of hovering, obstacle avoidance and deceleration
   capabilities was conducted at a site outside Beijing simulating
   conditions on the Red Planet, where the pull of gravity is about
   one-third that of Earth.

   China plans to launch a lander and rover to Mars next year to explore
   parts of the planet in detail.

.