China is aiming to bring Martian soil back to Earth by 2028, with a historic mission encouraging foreign scientists to take part in the ambitious project.

Liu Jizhong, chief planner of China’s Martian soil-return mission and a leading scientist in the country’s deep-space exploration programs, said on Thursday that the mission, Tianwen 3, will be the third in China’s interplanetary exploration schedule.

Speaking at the Second International Deep Space Exploration Conference in Tunxi, Anhui province, Liu said the primary scientific goal of the mission is to search for signs of life on Mars. Chinese researchers are developing key technologies for the mission, including sampling and lifting off from the Martian surface.

China is open to cooperation with international scientists in areas such as payload design, sample and data analysis, and long-term planning for a Martian scientific outpost, Liu said.

The three-day science forum, known as the Tiandu Forum, is being organized by the Deep Space Exploration Lab, the Chinese Society of Astronautics, and the China Space Foundation. About 400 attendees from more than 40 countries and regions are participating.

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Tianwen 3 will consist of four main components: a lander, an ascender, an orbiter, and a reentry module. The mission will launch on two Long March 5 heavy-lift rockets from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province.

The lander and ascender will first travel toward Mars, executing orbital corrections before entering Martian orbit, where they will attempt a soft landing on the planet’s surface. The orbiter and reentry module will follow, orbiting Mars to relay signals and await the samples.

After collecting Martian soil, the ascender will lift off and rendezvous with the reentry module in orbit, transferring the samples. The orbiter and reentry module will then return to Earth, with the samples expected to land at a preset location on Earth.

If successful, Tianwen 3 will mark the first time Martian samples are returned to Earth, providing valuable insights into the planet’s geology, atmosphere, and potential for life.

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