China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission moves into spacecraft construction phase

Published on March 12, 2026
A high-resolution image of Mars taken by China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft, showing a partially illuminated view of the planet’s northern hemisphere against the darkness of space. The reddish-brown Martian surface is visible with subtle atmospheric haze.

China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission is entering flight hardware development, targeting a late 2028 launch to seek out biosignatures on the Red Planet.

The post China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission moves into spacecraft construction phase appeared first on SpaceNews.

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