China is developing a new generation of geological maps of Mars with a scale of 1:5,000,000. This project is a key component of the upcoming Tianwen-3 mission, which aims to deliver Martian soil samples to Earth. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2028, with the return of a 0.5-kilogram sample capsule expected by 2031.
The mapping project relies on data collected by the Tianwen-1 mission, which arrived at Mars in 2021. This mission included an orbiter and the Zhurong rover, which traveled over 1.5 kilometers across the Utopia Planitia. Researchers are also incorporating data from NASA and the European Space Agency to complete the global map.
Beyond the map, the project team intends to establish a new standardized system for describing the geological periods of Mars. Scientists plan to apply the methodology developed for this mission to future mapping efforts for other celestial bodies, including the Moon, Venus, and nearby asteroids.
The return of physical samples is considered essential for detecting signs of past life on Mars. While NASA's Perseverance rover has identified organic compounds and chemical markers, researchers state that only laboratory equipment on Earth possesses the complexity required to conduct a definitive analysis of these materials.
