China plans to launch Mars sample-return mission around 2028

China plans to launch its Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission during the December 2028 to January 2029 launch window. The spacecraft are targeted to bring back a minimum of 500 grams of Martian surface and subsurface samples to Earth around 2031. Similar to China's Chang'e lunar return missions, it features an orbiter/Earth-returner and a lander/ascent-vehicle, operating completely autonomously on the Red Planet.

The mission also aims to search for biosignatures and signs of ancient life, analyze Martian climate evolution, and study planetary geology.