Announcement of Opportunities for International Collaboration of Mars Sample Return Mission Tianwen-3
Schedule
LOI Due June 30, 2025
Initial Selection July-August 2025
Proposal Due September 30, 2025
Confirmation October 2025
Announcement of Opportunities for International Collaboration of Mars Sample Return Mission (Tianwen-3)
I. Mission Overview
1.1 Background
The Tianwen-3 (TW-3) spacecraft consists of a Lander-Ascender-Mars Orbiter Module and an Earth Orbiter-Re-entry Module. It is scheduled for launch around 2028 and will return Mars samples to Earth around 2030.
1.2 Scientific Objectives and Proposed Payloads
The scientific objectives of TW-3 Mission are:
- Investigate potential traces of life on Mars
- Explore Martian geology and internal structural characteristics
- Study the atmospheric circulation and escape processes of Mars
- Make significant discoveries in the evolution of habitabilityonterrestrial planets
TW-3 will carry six domestic scientific payloads, including:
- Lander: Mars Subsurface Penetrating Radar (MSPR) and RamanandFluorescence Analyzer for Mars (RaFAM).
- Mars Orbiter (MO): Precipitating Energetic Neutral AtomandAuroraDetector (PENAAA) and Mars Orbiter Vector Magnetometer
(MOVMag). - Earth Return Orbiter (ERO): Mid-Infrared Hyperspectral Imager (MIHI) and Mars Martian Multispectral Camera (MMC).
II. International Collaboration Opportunities
This opportunity is open to the global community. International partners are welcome to collaborate with the TW-3 Mission at the system or payload level. System or payload level collaboration refer to the projects may be installed on the ERO or MO via the TW-3 OA for scientific exploration.
Piggybacked projects can be payloads requiring support from the ERO/MO, or independent scientific instruments. The proposed project can be developed independently or jointly developed by multiple institutions. Collaboration between international and domestic science institutions and payload developer is encouraged.
2.1 Technical Requirements
a. Maximum envelope size per project: 300×200×200 mm³.
b. Cabin Operational Working Temperature: -50°C to +70°C. Projects outside of the cabin need to satisfy the Mars flight environment requirements.
c. Total Power Available: ≤40 W.
d. ERO Specifications: 350km circular orbit of the Mars (30° inclination), Sun-pointing attitude. Design life: ≥3 years. Total mass available for international cooperation projects: ≤15 kg.
e. MO Specifications: 400×76,000 km large elliptical orbit of the Mars (54° inclination), with on-orbit detection for 2 years. Design life: ≥5years. Total mass available for international cooperation projects: ≤5 kg.
f. Additional requirements (e.g., power, interfaces, ground testing, etc.) will be clarified during technical coordination.
2.2 Collaboration Requirements
a. Proposed projects must align with TW-3 Mission’s overarching scientific objectives or provide complementary/extended value, with strong innovation in science and engineering.
b. Submissions must specify technical needs, including but not limited to: piggyback method, mass, volume, installation, power, separation requirements, TT&C support, etc.
c. Projects will follow the principles of free onboard opportunities, shared data, and self-funded development.
2.3 Delivery Schedule
Deliver the Flight model by 2027.
III. Application and Follow-up Steps
3.1 Submission of Expressions of Interest
Interested institutions will submit a project LOI (English/Chinese PDF) t oCNSA by June 30, 2025. The LOI should illustrate on: necessity and advancement of the project, performance parameters and technical design approach, and development plan and team composition, etc. See the attachment for LOI outline.
3.2 Initial Selection, Technical Coordination, and cooperation intents
According to the submitted LOI, CNSA will organize selections. From July to August 2025, feedback on initial selections will be given, followed by technical coordination with short listed teams to confirm on the cooperation intents.
3.3 Submission of Proposals and Final Selection
by September 30, 2025, shortlisted teams will submit full proposals (Outline to be confirmed). In October 2025, Final selection will be completed for confirmation.
IV. Contact Information
CNSA Website: www.cnsa.gov.cn
Mr. Yong GAN: +86-10-88581246
[email protected]
Mr. Wei WANG: +86-10-88432161
[email protected]
[email protected]
Attachment:
Project LOI Outline
I. Project Summary
Briefly illustrate on the necessity and advancement of the project, performance parameters and technical design approach, and development plan and team composition, etc.
II. Body Content
1.0 Necessity of the Project
1.1. Aim: Describe scientific or engineering objectives, explorationtasks, and expected outcomes.
1.2. Advancement: Compare with international counterpartstechnically.
1.3. Development foundation: Describe project development foundation, and experience and capabilities shows that the teamparticipated in similar missions/projects.
2.0 Performance and Technical Approach
2.1. Technical Approach: Describe operational principles, technical approach, and working modes.
2.2. Parameters: List specific parameters, e.g., exploration metrics, mass, power, lifespan, etc.
2.3. Interface requirements: Identify the interfaces requirements, including layout, mechanical, electrical, thermal, TT&C.
3.0 Development Plan
Describe plan and milestones for different phases, including design, develop, integration, and testing.
4.0 Project Team
Describe the main development institutions and task allocations of thecooperative projects. Specify the submission entities, project principle investigators, contact persons, as well as the main members of the team’s name, address, telephone, e-mail and fax number.
Astrobiology
