China aims to return Mars samples to Earth by 2031

The mission is scheduled for dual launches around 2028. A lander will collect samples from a designated site, which also serves as the landing location, ensuring efficient operations for the return journey to Earth.

In the November issue of National Science Review, mission leaders Hou Zengqian and Liu Jizhong detailed their approach. They outlined critical steps such as selecting sampling sites, identifying sample types, executing surface and subsurface collection techniques, and maximizing the utility of the materials brought back.

Eighty-six potential landing sites have been proposed, with a focus on Chryse Planitia and Utopia Planitia. These regions are geologically diverse, featuring ancient coastlines, deltas, lakes, and canyons that may have preserved biosignatures from Mars' early history.

To optimize the mission's scientific yield, the team is exploring methods to detect, locate, and protect potential biosignatures. Advanced instruments tailored to this task are under development, emphasizing the need for precision in detecting ancient life markers.

International collaboration is a cornerstone of Tianwen 3. The mission will include payloads from global partners, and Chinese scientists will work with researchers worldwide to analyze Mars samples and related data.

Looking ahead, China also plans to launch the Tianwen 4 mission, aimed at exploring the Jovian system to unravel the evolutionary history of Jupiter and its moons.