Memorable moments of China's space exploration in 2021(1/17)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

The image shows the back cover and parachute of the lander. (Photo provided by China National Space Administration)

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)

China's Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe on June 17, 2021. (Photo/VCG)

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)

Chinese astronaut ate an apple inside the Tianhe core module of the space station. (Photo/VCG)

Wang Yaping became China's first female astronaut to conduct a spacewalk on Nov. 7, 2021. (Photo/IC)

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)

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)

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)

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.

Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2021 shows an orbital trail left by China's space station as it travels.(Photo/IC)

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)