China’s Tianwen-1 probe reaches Mars’ orbit

Tianwen-1 is the second of three new Mars mission developments happening in February, after the UAE successfully settled in orbit on Tuesday (Nasa/ESA/PA)

China’s Tianwen-1 probe has successfully completed its journey to Mars’ orbit, in the first stage of an ambitious effort to eventually land on the red planet and search for signs of life, according to state media.

It is the first time the country has successfully made the journey, after its attempt with Russia in 2011 failed to make it through Earth’s orbit.