China has successfully brought lunar rocks to Earth with Chang’e-5 and now plans to bring soil samples from Mars to Earth by 2030.
A report in the Daily mail claims officials have confirmed that Mars is next after the successful mission to the Moon, where samples from the surface of Earth’s natural satellite have been returned to the planet in more than 45 years.
Authorities from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) have not confirmed a date for the mission. Currently, a China Tianwen-1 spacecraft is on its way to Mars. It left Earth in June 2020 and is expected to reach the orbit of Mars in February 2021. The spacecraft will drop a rover there in the coming months.
Speaking of the mission to Mars, CNSA deputy director Wu Yanhau said it would be implemented as planned.
In addition to China, Japan has also planned sample return missions. Additionally, NASA and the European Union also have a combined mission to Mars. The collection of samples from one of the moons of Mars will be carried out by the Japanese JAXA. On the other hand, NASA’s Perseverance rover is also on its way to Mars. After collecting samples from Mars, you will deposit them in a capsule.
According to Wu, China will carry out various space missions. These will include a sample return trip to Mars, exploration of Jupiter and asteroids, planetary missions, and engineering missions that include the creation of a new Chinese space station.
Chang’e-5, which brought samples of the lunar rock, deployed a landing vehicle and an ascending vehicle to collect rock and soil samples. The samples were then returned to Earth with the help of the return capsule. He received the samples through the orbital module.
A system similar to the Chang’e-5 is expected to be used for the sample return mission to Mars. China will become the second country to have an operational rover on Mars if this mission is successful.
The country has already sent the first lander that could explore the far side of the moon. China aims to create satellites that can obtain gravitational wave signals and spacecraft to monitor climate change.
In addition to all these ambitious missions, China also plans to use the space for a solar power generator. If successful, it will become the largest man-made object in Earth’s orbit.
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