Mission Details
China plans to launch the Tianwen-3 spacecraft around 2030 to collect and return Martian samples. The mission will involve an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. According to Wu Weiren, the chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, China will be "the first country to transport samples back from Mars."
Technological Advancements
China has developed key technologies for the Tianwen-3 mission, and preparations are underway. Sun Zezhou, the chief designer of the Tianwen-1 Mars mission, stated that "all core technologies are ready and progress is going smoothly." China also plans to establish the world's first Martian sample laboratory.
Competition with the US
China and the US are the only countries to have successfully soft-landed on Mars. NASA has previously aimed to return Martian samples around 2030, but it now faces challenges due to funding constraints.
NASA's Challenges
NASA's Mars Sample Return program has seen a significant increase in cost, from $4 billion to $11 billion. This has forced the agency to reconsider its timeline. Director Bill Nelson has indicated that NASA is exploring alternative, more affordable options for retrieving the samples.
Summary
China's Tianwen-3 mission aims to make China the first country to return Martian samples to Earth, surpassing the US. The mission is expected to launch around 2030, and preparations are underway. The US, previously aiming for a 2030 sample return, faces challenges due to increased costs. NASA is currently considering alternative options for the mission.