China's Mars sample collection mission will enter the flight model development phase this year, said Liu Jizhong, chief designer of the Tianwen-3 mission.
Based on preliminary technical research and demonstrations, the mission has achieved breakthroughs in key technologies. The engineering team is currently focusing on developing a prototype, Liu, also a member of China's national legislature, told reporters.
The Mars sample return mission is scheduled to launch around 2028, with the goal of bringing no less than 500 grams of Mars samples back to Earth around 2031.
International scientists are invited to collaborate to advance the development of deep space exploration technology and related engineering, Liu said.
In engineering, the mission is developing an orbiter, a return capsule, a lander, an ascender, and a service module, which will form an orbiter-return capsule complex and a lander-ascender-service module complex.
The development process also includes achieving breakthroughs in key technologies, such as sample collection and sealing, liftoff and ascent from the Martian surface, rendezvous in Mars orbit, sample collection and transfer, and planetary protection.
The Tianwen-3 mission is expected to search for potential signs of life on Mars, investigate the geological formation of Mars, and examine the Martian atmosphere, with the aim of achieving major discoveries in the study of the evolution of habitable terrestrial planets.
"The Tianwen-3 mission represents a major space endeavor that is extremely challenging, innovative, and pioneering," Liu said. "It is expected to realize the first Mars sample return mission in human history, thus significantly advancing the integrated development of space science, space technology, and space applications."
