China is preparing for a groundbreaking Mars sample return mission that could answer one of humanity's oldest questions: Did life ever exist beyond Earth? The Tianwen-3 mission, scheduled for launch around 2028, will attempt to bring back the first potentially bioactive samples from the Red Planet - a feat never before accomplished in space exploration history.
At the heart of this ambitious endeavor is University of Hong Kong astrobiologist Professor Li Yiliang, who serves as a key scientist on the mission team. Li recently co-authored a paper in Nature Astronomy outlining the mission's scientific objectives, with his team playing a crucial role in selecting the optimal landing site to search for evidence of ancient Martian life.
The mission builds on growing scientific consensus that early Mars possessed conditions suitable for life, with a thick atmosphere and liquid water that may have supported microbial organisms billions of years ago. Unlike previous Mars missions that conducted analysis on-site, Tianwen-3 will bring samples back to Earth, where scientists can examine them with far more sophisticated laboratory equipment.
This unprecedented effort will require two separate rocket launches in 2028 - one carrying a lander to collect samples from both the surface and nearly two meters underground (below the radiation-damaged upper layers), and another with an orbiter to retrieve the samples and return them to Earth.
The mission carries significant scientific and ethical challenges, particularly regarding planetary protection protocols. China is constructing a specialized biocontainment facility in Hefei to quarantine and analyze the samples before they can be safely distributed to researchers worldwide.
Tianwen-3 represents China's next major step in planetary exploration following the successful 2021 landing of its Zhurong rover. If successful, it could revolutionize our understanding of life in the universe while cementing China's position as a leader in space science. For Professor Li and his Hong Kong team, it's an opportunity to contribute to what may become one of the most important scientific discoveries in history.
Related News:
5 HK universities make QS global top 100: HKU achieves record 11th place
HKU to introduce mandatory AI literacy course for undergraduates starting next academic year
Comment