Key Takeaways
1. International Collaboration: The China National Space Administration is inviting global research teams to participate in the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission set to launch between late 2028 and early 2029.
2. Mission Structure: Tianwen-3 will consist of a lander, ascent module, service module, orbiter, and return capsule, with a total payload capacity of 20 kilograms for international research.
3. Scientific Goals: The mission aims to detect biosignatures, explore subsurface layers, and study the geology and atmosphere of Mars.
4. Advanced Instruments: The payload will include tools like Mars Subsurface Penetrating Radar, a Raman and Fluorescence Analyzer, and high-resolution imaging devices for detailed surface mapping.
5. Preselected Landing Sites: Three potential landing zones—Amazonis Planitia, Utopia Planitia, and Chryse Planitia—were chosen for their suitability to preserve biosignatures and favorable engineering conditions.
On April 24, 2025, during the 10th China Space Day event, the China National Space Administration announced that they are opening slots for international collaboration on the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission. This mission is planned to launch between late 2028 and early 2029, using two Long March 5 rockets: one will deploy a lander along with an ascent vehicle, while the second rocket will carry an orbiter and a spacecraft designed to return to Earth.
Mission Structure and Goals
The structure of Tianwen-3 includes a lander, an ascent module, a service module, an orbiter, and a return capsule. China has set aside 20 kilograms for payload capacity, with 15 kg designated for the orbiter and 5 kg for the lander, which will be utilized by research teams from around the world. The main goals of the mission are to detect possible biosignatures, explore subsurface layers, and investigate the geology and atmosphere of Mars.
Scientific Instruments
The scientific payload will include a Mars Subsurface Penetrating Radar that will help map underground formations, along with a Raman and Fluorescence Analyzer aimed at detecting organic molecules. The orbiter will also carry an Energetic Neutral Atom and Aurora Detector, as well as a vector magnetometer. Additionally, the return orbiter will be equipped with a mid-infrared hyperspectral imager and a multispectral camera, which will enable high-resolution surface mapping.
Preselected Landing Zones
Three potential landing sites have been chosen from a total of 86 candidates: Amazonis Planitia, Utopia Planitia, and Chryse Planitia. These sites were selected based on their ability to preserve biosignatures and engineering factors like altitude and light conditions. After the orbiter maintains a circular orbit of 350 km, it is expected that samples will be back on Earth by 2031 following a two-Martian-year elliptical mission by the service module.
The Tianwen-3 mission would represent a significant advancement in the field of planetary exploration. If it succeeds, it will bring back the first samples from Mars gathered by China, further establishing the country’s position as a key player in deep-space science.
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