China Constructs simulation base in desert For Planet Mangal : Planning For Future Expeditions
The camp
China was beaten by India during the race to Planet Mangal. The Chinese launched YINGHUO1 on 08 Nov2011 with a aim to place an orbiter around Mangal. The mission was a failure. As a contrast, the Indian mission launched on 05 Nov13 was a success. An orbiter was deployed on 24 sep 14 and will be functional till 2020. So now it seems that it has already started planning in a big way for an expedition to the Red Planet.
China’s first Mangal simulation base, which has opened to the public, is located in Mangya city, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan autonomous prefecture in northwest China’s Qinghai province.
The red rock area, located in the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai, has natural features, landscape and climate similar to those seen on planet Mangal. The camp is named for its unique Yadan landforms, or dry areas with wind eroded landscapes.
A camp has been opened for educational travel purposes. The camp can accommodate 60 people in its capsules and hundreds in tents at its base. Construction started in June 2018 with a total cost of about 150 million yuan ($22.3 million).
The Yadan landforms
The camp is now open to tourists, researchers, and the media. Zhou Tao, head of the education and science and technology bureau of Mangya city, said multiple Mangal observation projects will be established here, including the Stellar Observations Network Group by the National Astronomical Observatories of China and the 50 cm Binocular Network of China West Normal University.
In addition, an award has been set up to solicit and praise outstanding literature works related to the base. Radio stations, books and films will also feature the Red Planet simulation base.
