China has extended an unprecedented invitation to international researchers to contribute to its ambitious Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission, marking a new phase of global cooperation in space exploration. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced it is accepting payload proposals from overseas institutions, including those in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, for the 2028 mission.
The Tianwen-3 spacecraft will carry six advanced scientific instruments designed to study Martian geology, climate, and potential biosignatures. Key payloads include a Raman fluorescence spectrometer for mineral analysis and a high-precision vector magnetometer to map Mars' magnetic field. CNSA requires all proposals to be led by domestic institutions but allows up to five international partners per payload.
This initiative follows last month's announcement reserving 20 kilograms of payload capacity for international equipment – 15 kg on the orbiter and 5 kg on the service module. The mission aims to address fundamental questions about Mars' evolution and potential for hosting life, while demonstrating China's growing role in collaborative space science.
Space policy analysts note this move aligns with broader trends in planetary exploration, where complex missions increasingly require multinational expertise and resource-sharing. For researchers and investors, it presents unique opportunities to participate in cutting-edge technology development and data collection from the Red Planet.
