China to launch Mars sample-return mission in 2028

China’s space agency has reported significant progress on the Tianwen‑3 Mars sample‑return mission, which is slated for launch in 2028. The project will send a lander and rover to the Red Planet, collect soil and rock samples, and return them to Earth in 2031. Engineers have confirmed that the spacecraft’s return vehicle is now capable of re‑entering Earth’s atmosphere and safely delivering the samples to a designated recovery site.

The mission follows the successful Tianwen‑1 orbiter and rover, marking China’s third major Mars endeavor. By targeting a 2031 return, Tianwen‑3 will join a growing international effort to bring extraterrestrial material back to Earth, enabling detailed laboratory analysis of Martian geology and potential biosignatures. The completion of key subsystem tests brings the program closer to its launch window, underscoring China’s expanding capabilities in deep‑space exploration.