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Photo released on June 11, 2021 shows a selfie of China's first Mars rover Zhurong with the landing platform. (Photo provided by China National Space Administration)
Here are the highlights of China's space exploration in 2021.
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Missions on Mars
The image shows Tianwen-1 probe will take the Mars rover landing on Mars.(Photo provided by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology)
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The image shows the parachute and bowl-shaped back shell used in the rover's landing on Mars. (Photo provided by China National Space Administration)
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China's Tianwen-1 probe touched down at its pre-selected landing area in Utopia Planitia on May 15, 2021.(Photo provided by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology)
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Photo taken by an obstacle avoidance camera installed in front of the Mars rover and released on May 19, 2021 shows that a ramp on the lander has been extended to the surface of Mars. (Photo provided by China National Space Administration)
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The image shows the back cover and parachute of the lander. (Photo provided by China National Space Administration)
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Space station construction
The Long March-5B Y2 rocket, carrying the Tianhe module, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province, April 29, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)
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China's Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe on June 17, 2021. (Photo/VCG)
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Screen image on June 17, 2021 shows three Chinese astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship saluting after entering the space station core module Tianhe. (Photo/VCG)
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Wang Yaping became China's first female astronaut to conduct a spacewalk on Nov. 7, 2021. (Photo/IC)
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Chinese astronaut Tang Hongbo shot this photo in his bedroom while returning from routine training on July 21, 2021. (Photo provided by China Manned Space)
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After completing indoor mechanical arms control training, Tang Hongbo and his two calf dolls anticipate the sight of their homeland, Aug 13, 2021. (Photo provided by China Manned Space)
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As the space station flies above Beijing, Chinese astronaut Nie Haisheng took this photo of Beijing at night on Aug 24, 2021. (Photo provided by China Manned Space)
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A child watches a live class given by the Shenzhou-13 crew members in front of an outdoor screen in Dongcheng District, Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 9, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Hou Yu)
The first live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, given by Shenzhou-13 crew members Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu to students on Earth.
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Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2021 shows an orbital trail left by China's space station as it travels.(Photo/IC)
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Journey of solar exploration
The Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite named Xihe blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)