The surface of Mars

Sample-retrieval missions on Mars, an asteroid exploration, and a Jupiter system probe by around 2030 are all among China’s plans for deep-space exploration, said an industry insider, Science and Technology Daily reported on Oct. 21.

Research and development on key technologies related to the missions will be carried out, including ultra-long-distance communication in deep space, Mars capturing brake, long-term self-management in orbit, slowdown in thin air, and safe landing, Dai Shoulun, director of the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology and a delegate to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said on October 20.

The Mars probe will consist of two parts, a lander and a rover, and will include 13 pieces of test equipment, Dai disclosed.