China could bring first Mars samples to Earth before NASA | Digital Trends

China is aiming to bring the first rock samples from Mars to Earth in 2031, two years before NASA plans to perform the coveted feat. The ambitious Tianwen-3 sample return mission was outlined this week by Sun Zezhou, chief designer of China's current Mars orbiter and rover mission, [SpaceNews](//spacenews.com/china-aims-to-bring-mars-samples-to-earth-2-years-before-nasa-esa-mission/) reported on Monday. To achieve the collection and delivery of Mars rock samples, China plans to launch a spacecraft to the Red Planet in late 2028 in a mission that would end with the delivery of samples to Earth in July 2031. Part of the reason for the tighter time frame…