China lands spacecraft on Mars
Beijing: A Chinese spacecraft carrying the country's first Mars rover has touched down on the red planet, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed on Saturday morning.
The Tianwen-1, which consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched on July 23, 2020, it said.
It was the first step in China's planetary exploration of the solar system, with the aim of completing orbiting, landing and roving on the red planet in one mission, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The spacecraft entered the Mars orbit in February after a journey of nearly seven months through space, and spent more than two months surveying potential landing sites.
The rover weighs around 240 kilograms, has six wheels and four solar panels, and is able to move 200 metres per hour.
It carries six scientific instruments, including a multi-spectral camera, ground-penetrating radar and a meteorological measurer, and is expected to work around three months on the planet.
Spacecraft of the UAE, the US and China have recently entered the Mars orbit. NASA's Perseverance rover landed on the planet on February 18 after travelling for almost seven months.
Since then, it has sent back some striking images from around its landing site, Jezero Crater. It has also flown a helicopter to explore the red planet.
Previously the USA, Russia, the EU and India have succeeded in sending spacecraft to Mars.
India became the first Asian country to have successfully sent its spacecraft into Mars' orbit in 2014.
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Vitla police seize vehicle transporting cattle illegally
Vitla: Vitla Sub-inspector Ramakrishna has seized a vehicle that was allegedly transporting cattle illegally at Karai of Kolnadu village in Bantwal taluk. Two men in the vehicle, identified as Naveen and Chethan of Mandya, have reportedly been subjected to police questioning.
Police sources have said that the SI saw a vehicle transporting two cows and parked by the road. When he questioned the driver Naveen and Chethan, who were in the vehicle, about the cattle, he was told by the duo that the cows belonged to one Shankar, a resident of Channarayapatna. The men also told the SI that Shankar was supplying the cattle to a man in Salettur, identified as Shafi, allegedly for beef production.
Further, Naveen and Chethan confessed before the officer that they had gotten the cattle transport permit in others’ names, the sources have added.
