Mars exploration aim

China plans to carry out the Tianwen-3 mission through two launches around 2028, aiming to bring back samples from Mars, a Chinese space expert said on Thursday. Chief designer of China’s Mars sample-return mission, unveiled the details at the second International Deep Space Exploration Conference in Tunxi of east China’s Anhui Province.

The mission is mapped out in 13 phases, using both on-site and remote sensing to study Martian samples and data for signs of life. It wants to ensure the samples will be retrieved and that the mission can yield scientific results.