BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China.

ZHURONG SWITCHES TO DORMANT MODE

Mars rover Zhurong has been switched to dormant mode while waiting out a dust storm on the surface of the planet, the China National Space Administration said on Friday.

The latest images taken by cameras onboard China’s Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter show a dust storm passing over the patrol area of Zhurong. Scientists compared them with photos taken in the last two months and analyzed recent power data of the rover’s solar wings, which indicated Zhurong now braving an intense Martian dust storm.

ENDANGERED PLANTS DISCOVERED

More than 10 endangered wild Chinese Parrotia plants have been discovered in the city of Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu Province, according to the local natural resources department.

The Chinese Parrotia, or Parrotia subaequalis, is an endemic deciduous tree species in China and a first-class protected wild plant in the country.

COMMUNICATION TEST SATELLITES

China successfully sent three low-orbit communication test satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Friday.

The three communication satellites were launched by a Long March-2C carrier rocket at 6:30 p.m. (Beijing Time) and have entered the planned orbit.