China has set a one-year deadline for the launch of its Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission, according to the mission's official.
The Martian sample return mission is scheduled for 2028 and will include two launches from Earth, according to Space news.
Liu Jizhong, chief designer of Tianwen-3, conveyed at a press conference on September 5 that the mission's top priority is to search for evidence of life on the neighboring planet.
The mission's landing zone will be selected based on its astrobiological relevance, including lands where life potential exists or can be preserved.
Researchers have highlighted three landing zones for Tianwen-3: Amazonis Planitia, Chryse Planitia and Utopia Planitia.
Utopia Planitia is an area where the Zhurong Tianwen-1 rover landed.
According to Space NewsThe mission will pose challenges including sample collection, launch from the surface of Mars, approach to orbit and, last but not least, ensuring planetary protection.
The mission will strictly adhere to international agreements on planetary protection, according to Closed circuit television and emphasize the need to make efforts to avoid littering and contaminating both Mars and Earth upon their return.
The historic feat will also have international cooperation, according to the report XinhuaThis relates to areas of payloads, sample and data exchange, and research planning for future missions.
China says the country wants to work with scientists around the world to share and study data from Mars.
