By 
July 13th, 2020
Yuanwang-6 tracking ship.
Credit: PLAN
China’s space tracking ship Yuanwang-6 has set sail on multiple spacecraft monitoring missions.
The Xinhua news agency reports that Yuanwang-6 will carry out missions in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean – the first time for a Yuanwang ship to perform missions in the three oceans during a single voyage.
The ship has completed an overhaul, maritime calibration tests, equipment precision appraisals and two satellite maritime monitoring missions this year.
China’s Mars orbiter, lander, rover effort.
Credit: China Aerospace Technology Corporation
Mars mission
It is likely this ship will be in position for duties associated with China’s Tianwen-1 Mars mission that constitutes an orbiter, lander, and rover.
China’s Mars mission elements.
Credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China plans to launch its first Mars probe between July 20 and 25, according to the China Global Television Network (CGTN).
To reach Mars in 2021, the spacecraft will be lofted by a Long March 5 Y4 carrier rocket.
China’s Mars landing regions.
Courtesy: James Head
Regarding the selection of China’s robotic Mars landing site, two regions have been identified that represent a wide array of scientific sleuthing, including appraising possible habitats of life.
The lander/rover will perform a soft landing on the Martian surface some 2–3 months after arrival of the spacecraft, with a candidate landing site in Utopia Planitia.
Posted in Space News
“Discover the latest marvels of China’s space exploration efforts with our blog post, ‘China Space Tracking Ship at Sea.’ Delve into the intriguing world of space tracking as we explore the role of China’s tracking ship in monitoring and supporting space missions. Stay tuned for a captivating glimpse into the advancements shaping the future of space exploration!