China progresses plans for Mars sample return, asteroid flyby and more launch sites

China's Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission has entered the prototype phase: launch in 2028 on two Long March 5 rockets, drilling up to 2 meters deep, and returning samples to Earth around 2031. Eight candidate sites have been selected to collect about 500 grams of soil.

• Tianwen-3 launch planned for 2028, sample return around 2031
• Drill will penetrate 2 meters below Mars surface to search for signs of life
• Eight sites selected, goal to collect about 500 g of scientific samples
• Chang'e 7 mission delayed from 2026 to early 2027 due to weather windows