China aims to carry out a Mars sample return mission around 2030, according to a lawmaker from the country’s leading space contractor, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC). The purpose of this mission is to search for water on Mars, which would provide valuable support for future interstellar exploration.
According to Sun Zezhou, a deputy to the National People’s Congress and a senior engineer at CASC, studying Mars can also serve as a warning about Earth’s future. As Mars has evolved ahead of Earth, it may hold clues to the planet’s destiny.
China has previously achieved orbiting, landing, and rover exploration of Mars through the Tianwen-1 mission. The Tianwen-3 mission will focus on sample retrieval, which could take place around 2030. However, this mission will pose significant challenges due to the vast distance between Earth and Mars, as well as the planet’s thin atmosphere.
CASC plans to unveil and conduct maiden flights of multiple reusable rockets this year, aiming to reduce costs and increase launch frequencies. The company has made significant breakthroughs in reusable rocket technology, including the development of a 130-ton reusable liquid oxygen-kerosene engine. This engine completed two ground ignition tests and 15 repeat tests.
The new-generation crewed launch vehicles will include at least two configurations, one designed for lunar missions and the other for transporting crew and cargo to space stations. These rockets are expected to be highly reusable and efficient.
China has been actively pushing for breakthroughs in commercial space development, with CASC successfully completing 51 space missions in 2024 and sending over 190 spacecraft into orbit. The country’s government work report submitted this year emphasized the promotion of safe and sound development of commercial space.
Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329618.shtml