Tianwen

Tianwen is a term with multiple meanings in Chinese. In classical literature, Tianwen (天问) translates as “heavenly questions” or “questions to heaven,” and it is best known as a poem in the Chu Ci anthology attributed to Qu Yuan. The poem contemplates celestial phenomena and the mysteries of the universe, expressing a sense of wonder and inquiry about nature and existence.

In modern space exploration, Tianwen is the name of China’s Mars exploration program, administered by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The program's first mission, Tianwen-1, was launched on July 23, 2020, aboard a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Center. Tianwen-1 carried an orbiter, a lander, and a rover as a single integrated spacecraft. The mission reached Mars and entered orbit on February 10, 2021. On May 14, 2021, the lander and the Zhurong rover successfully touched down in Utopia Planitia, making China the second country to land a spacecraft on Mars and operate a rover there. The Zhurong rover began surface exploration in May 2021, conducting studies of Martian geology, soil, atmosphere, and magnetic field.

The Tianwen program reflects China’s ambitions in planetary science and deep-space exploration. The name continues to symbolize inquiry and discovery in Chinese culture as well as in its space program.