China is set to embark on a groundbreaking mission to collect Martian samples and return them to Earth by 2031, according to the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory. The ambitious Tianwen-3 mission, planned through two launches around 2028, aims to execute an integrated operation of landing, sampling, and return from a single site on Mars.
Leading the mission, chief scientist Hou Zengqian and chief designer Liu Jizhong have identified 86 potential landing sites, concentrating in the ancient Chryse Planitia and Utopia Planitia regions. These sites feature diverse geological environments such as ancient coastlines, deltas, lakes, and canyon systems, providing ideal conditions for the origin and preservation of potential ancient life.
The team is focused on identifying, locating, and preserving biosignatures using both surface and drilling sampling techniques. They emphasize the need to develop new instruments specifically designed for biosignature detection to enhance the mission's scientific capabilities.
International cooperation plays a significant role in Tianwen-3, with payloads being developed in collaboration with scientists worldwide. This global partnership aims to conduct joint research on Mars samples and detection data, fostering a collaborative approach to uncovering the mysteries of the red planet.
Beyond Mars, China is planning to explore the Jovian system with the Tianwen-4 mission, intending to investigate Jupiter and its moons to understand their evolutionary history.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
