China plans to retrieve Mars samples by 2031
The launch of the Tianwen-1 mission, Wenchang City, south China’s Hainan Province, July 23, 2020. Credit: CFP China’s growing presence in space has been undeniable since the turn of the century. Between sending the first “taikonaut” to space in 2003 (Yang Liwei), launching the first Chinese robotic mission to the moon (Chang’e-1) in 2007, and…