China is intensifying its efforts to compete with NASA in space exploration, with a particular focus on Mars missions.

The Tianwen-3 mission is set to launch in 2028, aiming to retrieve Martian samples and return them to Earth by 2031.

These selected regions are believed to hold biosignatures from Mars' early history, enhancing the potential for discovering evidence of past life.

Advanced instruments are being developed to detect and protect potential biosignatures, ensuring precise identification of ancient life markers.

Looking ahead, China plans to expand the Tiangong space station and establish the International Lunar Research Station by 2035.

This mission is strategically planned to precede NASA's Mars Sample Return mission, which is currently facing delays due to budget constraints.

The mission will involve dual launches using Long March 5 rockets, with one launch for the orbiter/return vehicle and another for the lander/ascent vehicle.

Geologist Zengqian Hou leads the Tianwen-3 mission team, which includes experts from various Chinese scientific institutions.

In addition to Tianwen-3, China is preparing the Tianwen-4 mission, scheduled for September 2029, to explore the Jupiter system.

Mission leaders have identified 86 potential landing sites, primarily in the Chryse Planitia and Utopia Planitia regions, known for their geological features that may have preserved signs of ancient water.

The Tianwen-3 mission will implement a comprehensive 13-phase plan, incorporating advanced detection technologies and international collaboration for analyzing Martian samples.

If successful, the Tianwen-3 mission would make China the first country to return Martian samples to Earth, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.