China Lands Spacecraft On Mars In Historic First For Nation China's rover will stay in the lander for a few days of diagnostic tests before rolling down a ramp to thr icy Utopia Planitia area on Mars. By Ken Moritsugo An impression of the Red Planet, Mars. BEIJING — China landed a spacecraft on Mars for the first time on Saturday, a technically challenging feat more difficult than a moon landing, in the latest advance for its ambitious goals in space. Plans call for a rover to stay in the lander for a few days of diagnostic tests before rolling down a ramp to explore an icy area of Mars known as Utopia Planitia. It will join an American rover that arrived at the red planet in February.