China plans AI-driven geological map of Mars by 2028
China plans to complete a geological map covering Mars’s entire surface by the end of 2028, chief scientist Hou Zengqian said. The project is intended to support the Tianwen-3 sample-return mission and become a reference for future mapping of the Moon, Venus and asteroids.
China plans to complete a geological map of the entire surface of Mars by the end of 2028, according to Hou Zengqian, chief scientist of the Tianwen-3 mission. State news agency Xinhua described the project as the first AI-driven geological map of Mars. It will incorporate data from China’s Zhu Rong rover and is intended to establish a global reference for Martian geological ages.
The project will also produce a detailed 1:50,000 map of the planned Tianwen-3 landing zone and an atlas series. Hou said the work could provide a model for geological mapping of the Moon, Venus and asteroids. China plans to launch Tianwen-3 in late 2028.
The mission aims to collect at least 500 grams of Martian material and return it to Earth by about 2031. It will use two launches: one carrying a lander and ascent vehicle, and another carrying an orbiter and return module. If successful, China would become the first country to complete a Mars sample-return mission.
The US and European Space Agency programme has faced rising costs and delays, with an earlier NASA estimate putting the cost at up to $11 billion and return no earlier than 2040. China’s Zhu Rong landed in May 2021 and travelled more than 1.9 kilometres. It later failed to resume operations after entering hibernation, reportedly because dust reduced power generation from its solar panels.
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