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CNSA's Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission enters spacecraft construction; 2028 launch planned
CNSA announced Tianwen-3's flight models are nearing completion, moving the mission into spacecraft construction and assembly. Mission chief designer Liu Jizhong described it as a highly challenging effort to achieve humanity's first Mars sample return, targeting launch late 2028 and sample return around 2031.
- Flight model development completing; spacecraft construction phase begins.
- Launch window December 2028 to January 2029; sample return targeted for around 2031.
- Mission will return ≥500 grams of Martian samples for scientific analysis.
- If successful, Tianwen-3 achieves humanity's first Mars sample return (NASA's MSR was cancelled).
- CNSA plans to share samples and data with scientists worldwide upon return.