NASA has been working on the surface of Mars for a long time. The space agency, which conducts research on the surface of Mars with both land and air vehicles, is also collecting various rock fragments to bring to Earth. China, on the other hand, intends to bring rock samples from Mars before NASA will be on Mars for a while.
China to collect rock samples from Mars
China is working on bringing the first rock samples from Mars by 2031. In line with this plan, Mars wants to send a spacecraft to the red planet in 2028. After collecting samples on the Martian surface, the spacecraft is scheduled to return to Earth in July 2031.
It is a matter of curiosity whether China can complete the task in such a short time. However, China will focus on one thing in this mission, unlike the detailed Mars surveys by NASA. It is stated that the mission, which will focus only on sample collection, may therefore take much shorter than NASA.
The China National Space Agency (CNSA) revealed last year that it has the technology to reach Mars and place a rover on the surface. The task of transporting the collected samples to Earth has quite complex steps. To complete this mission, space agencies have to do a lot of testing on the vehicles.
The reward of long-term tests and studies will be with rock samples from Mars. Pieces from Mars could provide scientists with important data about whether there is any remnant of life on the planet.
China is now pouring large sums of money into its growing space program. Allocating significant money to Mars and Moon missions, China is also working on its own space station. President of the country, Xi Jinping, states that the new space station will open new horizons for people about space.
China, which has been working on its space program for a long time, will soon take important steps on Mars. So what do you think about China and NASA? You can share your views with us in the comments section.
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