In 2028, China plans to launch the Tianwen-3 mission to the surface of Mars, drill two metres into Martian rock, collect at least 500 grams of soil and stone, and return those samples to Earth by 2031 — meaning if the mission succeeds on schedule, China will become the first nation in human history to bring back physical material from another planet, potentially years ahead of NASA and ESA’s own delayed Mars Sample Return effort

In approximately five years, if everything goes to plan, a small sealed canister containing roughly two pounds of Martian dirt and rock will arrive on Earth — and for the first time in the history of the species, humans will be able to hold a piece of another planet in their hands. The dirt and [...] The post In 2028, China plans to launch the Tianwen-3 mission to the surface of Mars, drill two metres into Martian rock, collect at least 500 grams of soil and stone, and return those samples to Ea