Surface characteristics of the Zhurong Mars rover traverse at Utopia Planitia

China’s Mars rover, Zhurong, touched down on Utopia Planitia in the northern lowlands of (109.925° E, 25.066° N) May 2021, and has been conducting situ investigations landing area conjunction with Tianwen-1 orbiter. Here we present surface properties derived from Zhurong rover’s traverse during first 60 sols rover operations. Our analysis position locomotion data camera imagery over that time shows traversed 450.9 m southwards a flat mild wheel slippage. Soil parameters determined by terramechanics, which observes wheel–terrain interactions, indicate topsoil high bearing strength cohesion. The soil’s equivalent stiffness is estimated to range 1,390 5,872 kPa per mN, internal friction angle ranges 21° 34° under cohesion 1.5 6 kPa. Aeolian bedforms are primarily transverse aeolian ridges, indicating northeastern local wind directions. Surface rocks imaged cameras show evidence physical weathering processes, such as erosion, potential chemical processes. Joint utilizing scientific payloads orbiter can provide insights into aqueous history, habitability evolution Mars. Analysis interactions between wheels terrain along reveals soils