China has selected five international cooperation projects for its upcoming Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission, marking a major step in expanding global participation in the country’s deep space exploration program, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Friday.
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 11th Space Day of China held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The selection follows a call issued in April 2025 inviting global proposals for scientific collaboration, offering 20 kilograms of payload capacity for international partners. A total of 28 applications were received, with five projects chosen based on scientific value, engineering feasibility, mission support capability and technological maturity.
According to CNSA, all selected projects are currently progressing smoothly as the Tianwen-3 mission enters its prototype development phase.
The mission, China’s first attempt to return samples from Mars, is scheduled for launch around 2028, with Martian samples expected to be brought back to Earth around 2031. The spacecraft will include a lander, ascent vehicle, orbiter, service module and return module.
The orbiter will carry three international scientific instruments, including a Mars PEX Spectrometer to search for biosignatures and study surface minerals, a Mars Molecular Ion Composition Analyzer to investigate atmospheric escape, and a Laser Heterodyne Spectrometer to measure water isotopes and wind patterns in the Martian atmosphere.
The service module will host a hyperspectral imaging instrument designed to detect potential signs of life and map surface resources, while the lander will carry a laser retroreflector array developed by Italy’s National Institute for Nuclear Physics, enabling precise surface measurements on Mars.
CNSA officials said the mission reflects China’s commitment to international cooperation in space science and exploration, emphasizing joint efforts to study deep space and expand human knowledge.
The agency also outlined progress on other planetary missions, including Tianwen-2, launched last year and expected to reach asteroid 2016HO3 in 2025, and future missions such as Tianwen-4 to explore the Jovian system.
Officials further noted that China is developing a heavy-lift launch vehicle aimed at significantly enhancing deep space access capabilities, alongside planning for asteroid defense and outer solar system exploration programs.