China is advancing its Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission, which aims to launch in 2028 and deliver Martian soil and rock to Earth by 2031. Officials say the programme is on track for the scheduled launch date.
The mission architecture includes a lander that will touch down on the Martian surface, collect samples, and launch them into orbit via an ascent vehicle. An orbiter will then capture the sample container and begin the return journey to Earth.
If successful, Tianwen-3 would mark the first Mars sample return conducted by a single nation’s space agency, representing a notable milestone in planetary exploration and a potential catalyst for future crewed missions.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) highlights that the mission pursues both scientific objectives, such as searching for signs of past life, and technological goals, including testing systems needed for eventual human expeditions to Mars.