The user interface of the planetary vehicle patrol simulator developed by China Jiliang University. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

The country's first planetary vehicle patrol simulator was recently released by China Jiliang University, local media reported on Nov 9.

The simulator is open to the public and allows user to enter a "virtual world" and watch a planetary rover driving on Mars, the moon and other planets. 

By rotating the left mouse button, moving the right button and zooming with the middle button, users can observe the planetary car in 360 degrees.

According to developers, China's Mars rover Zhurong, currently in sleep mode, is expected to wake up automatically in December, and they hope the simulator can bring the technology closer to the public.