China Opens Global Invitation for Tianwen-3
China has officially invited international scientists to participate in its upcoming Tianwen-3 Mars mission, which aims to bring samples from the Red Planet back to Earth. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has announced that foreign research teams can propose projects to fly on the mission. Each selected project will receive free transportation for up to 20 kg (44 lbs) of instruments, provided they are ready by 2027.
The application process has been fast-tracked, with initial proposals due by June and final selections expected in October. According to CNSA, chosen projects should either align with Tianwen-3’s primary scientific objectives, such as searching for signs of past life, or add valuable new insights to the mission. The instruments must demonstrate strong scientific and engineering innovation.
Tianwen-3 is on track for its 2028 launch, reinforcing China’s commitment to deep-space exploration. The mission will be carried out in multiple stages, with separate launches for the lander, ascender, Mars orbiter, and Earth return orbiter. All components will be launched from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center using Long March 5 rockets. CNSA has confirmed that the precious Mars samples are expected to land on Earth by 2030.
Although international scientists are encouraged to participate, foreign partners must fund their own research and instrument development. In return, CNSA has stated that all scientific data from the mission must be shared. The agency also encourages partnerships between international teams and Chinese institutions.
Tianwen-3’s Strategy and Scientific Goals
The Tianwen-3 mission is designed as a “grab-and-go” operation, meaning that it will land, collect samples quickly, and return without needing a long surface mission. This approach minimizes risk and increases the chances of success. The lander and ascender will touch down on Mars, collect soil and rock samples, and transfer them to the orbiter, which will bring them back to Earth.
Scientists plan to use these samples to study the planet’s history and geology, analyze its internal structure, and understand atmospheric changes that could explain how Mars lost most of its water. A key objective is to search for possible signs of past life, a question that has intrigued researchers for decades.
This is not China’s first success in Mars exploration. The country has already landed and operated the Zhu Rong rover, which explored the Martian surface for 358 Martian days before going into hibernation in 2022. With Tianwen-3, China aims to take the next big step by bringing actual Martian samples back to Earth.
NASA Faces Uncertainty Amid Budget Cuts
While China advances toward its Mars sample return mission, NASA is struggling with financial and organizational challenges. The US space agency had originally planned to return Martian samples collected by the Perseverance rover, which landed in 2021. However, this mission has faced significant delays and budget concerns.
Unlike Tianwen-3’s approach, NASA’s plan requires sending a second mission to retrieve Perseverance’s sample tubes, load them onto a Mars Ascent Vehicle, and return them to Earth. Before the latest developments, NASA’s mission was already running four years behind China’s schedule.
Now, further delays seem likely. Recent budget reductions ordered by the US government have resulted in NASA’s first round of program cuts. Additionally, leadership changes at the agency have created uncertainty about the future of Mars exploration. There are rumors that science program funding could be cut by up to 50% in NASA’s 2025 budget.
In response to growing challenges, NASA had been exploring partnerships with private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop cost-effective solutions for Mars sample return. However, with ongoing budget concerns, the final decision on mission strategy will be left to the agency’s future leadership.
Despite these hurdles, NASA’s Perseverance rover is still operational and actively collecting samples. However, without a confirmed retrieval mission, it remains unclear when or how these valuable Martian samples will ever reach Earth.
With Tianwen-3 moving ahead on schedule and NASA facing delays and uncertainty, the global race for the first successful Mars sample return has entered a crucial phase.
