Beijing, March 13, 2026 (Xinhua) – China’s Tianwen-3 mission, aimed at retrieving samples from Mars, will enter the flight model development phase this year, according to Liu Jiuchong, chief designer of the mission. This marks a significant step forward in China’s ambitious space exploration program.
Initial research and technical experiments have yielded breakthroughs in key technologies, Liu stated. The engineering team is now concentrating on developing prototype models. The mission aims to bring at least 500 grams of Martian samples back to Earth by 2031.
The Mars sample return mission is currently planned for launch around 2028, and will involve a complex architecture consisting of an orbiter, a return vehicle, a lander, an ascent vehicle, and a service module. This dual-launch approach is necessitated by the limited carrying capacity of existing rockets, according to Liu.
Liu, who is also a national legislator, indicated that international scientists are being invited to collaborate on advancing the technologies and engineering involved in deep space exploration. This collaborative approach underscores the global interest in unraveling the mysteries of the Red Planet.
Development efforts also include achieving breakthroughs in crucial technologies such as Martian surface sampling and isolation, Mars surface ascent, orbital rendezvous and capture, sample transfer, and planetary protection. These advancements are critical for ensuring the mission’s success and preventing contamination.
The mission is expected to search for potential signs of life on Mars, investigate its geological formations, and examine its atmosphere, with the goal of making key discoveries in the study of the evolution of potentially habitable terrestrial planets. Understanding the geological history of Mars could provide valuable insights into the conditions necessary for life to arise.
Liu described the Tianwen-3 mission as a major, challenging, innovative, and pioneering space endeavor. He anticipates it will be the first human mission to return samples from Mars, contributing significantly to the integrated development of space science, space technology, and space applications.
Liu also noted that China’s Tianwen-2 probe, launched in 2025, has traveled approximately 700 million kilometers and is expected to reach near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 this year to begin flyby exploration. This demonstrates China’s growing capabilities in asteroid exploration and its commitment to expanding its reach in the solar system.
