China is pressing ahead with its Mars sample-return mission by constructing a planetary protection facility in Hefei’s Deep-Space Science City, according to the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL). Scheduled for launch around 2028 under the Tianwen-3 mission roadmap released by the China National Space Administration, the spacecraft aims to collect and return Martian samples to Earth by around 2031.
Planetary Protection Laboratory in Hefei
The new planetary protection laboratory will be built in the first phase of Hefei’s Deep-Space Science City in Anhui Province, according to DSEL, which will undertake part of the laboratory’s operation. This facility is designed to support major deep-space missions and enable scientific research on extraterrestrial samples. According to Li Hang, director of the development planning department at DSEL, the laboratory will serve scientific research findings derived from these samples.
Did you know? China’s previous interplanetary exploration efforts include the Zhurong rover, which landed in southern Utopia Planitia on Mars in May 2021 and traveled 1,921 meters across the Martian surface by May 2022 to collect scientific data.
Two-Way Protection System and Mission Timeline
The facility will implement a two-way protection system designed to guard both the returning Martian samples and Earth’s biosphere, according to project details. Its operational tasks encompass sample sterilization, unsealing, processing, and biological risk assessment.
China will follow the planetary protection policies of the Committee on Space Research, according to Li. These policies aim to prevent biological contamination of Mars by terrestrial organisms while simultaneously protecting Earth from any potential extraterrestrial life forms carried back within the samples.
Tianwen-3 Mission Roadmap
- April: The China National Space Administration released the implementation roadmap for the Tianwen-3 mission.
- Around 2028: The spacecraft is scheduled for launch.
- Around 2031: Sample collection and return to Earth are expected to be completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Tianwen-3 mission scheduled to launch?
The spacecraft is scheduled for launch around 2028, according to the China National Space Administration.
When are the Martian samples expected to return to Earth?
Sample collection and return to Earth are expected to be completed by around 2031.
What is the purpose of the Hefei planetary protection laboratory?
According to the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, the facility will implement a two-way protection system encompassing sample sterilization, unsealing, processing, and biological risk assessment to support deep-space missions and scientific research.
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