The China National Space Administration announced on Friday the results of its international collaboration selection for Tianwen-3, China's first Mars sample-return mission.

Following a call for co-operation proposals last April, in which the agency announced it would open up 20 kilogrammes of payload resources for international collaboration, the agency received 28 applications.

Five projects were subsequently selected based on their high scientific value, effective mission support, solid engineering feasibility and high technological maturity, the agency said during the opening ceremony of the 11th Space Day of China held in Chengdu.

The Tianwen-3 mission, part of China's planetary exploration programme, is planned for launch around 2028.

It aims to bring Martian samples back to Earth around 2031. (Xinhua)


Edited by Tony Sabine