Mars Exploration China Aerospace Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

China advances Tianwen-3 Mars sample return toward 2028 launch and 2031 Earth return

China is progressing development of the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission, targeting dual Long March 5 launches in 2028 and the return of Martian dirt and rock to Earth in 2031. Sampling hardware and both spacecraft are reportedly under construction ahead of the ambitious campaign.

Discovered 2026-09-08T11:28:38.361899-07:00 | 2026-09-08T11:28:38.361899-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

Tianwen-3 would make China a major participant in Mars sample return, a technically demanding class of missions requiring coordinated launch, sampling, ascent and Earth-return systems.
The reported 2028 launch target and 2031 return date provide important milestones for tracking China’s deep-space development and Long March 5 launch-readiness progress.

Reported By

Space.com china-in-space.com