China is advancing an
ambitious project to produce a detailed geological map of the entire planet
Mars by the end of 2028. According to media reports, the scientific initiative
will involve an in-depth and comprehensive study of the Red Planet’s surface,
rocks and various geological features. Huo Zhengqian, an expert at the Chinese
Academy of Sciences and chief scientist of the Tianwen-3 mission, said that the
new scientific data would also enable researchers to establish an independent
and advanced Chinese system for classifying the geological periods of Mars.
Recent research conducted by
China’s Zhurong rover has revealed surprising evidence suggesting that an
ancient ocean existed on Mars approximately 3.5 billion years ago. Scientists
have also discovered evidence of flooding that occurred around 1.6 billion
years ago. These findings are expected to play a key role in developing the
new, detailed geological map of the planet. Artificial intelligence (AI) will
also be used in the ambitious project to analyse remote-sensing data collected
from Mars. Researchers will use the advanced technology to identify the
planet’s geological features more accurately. China intends to apply the same
advanced methods in the future to map and study the Moon, Venus and other
planetary bodies.
The Tianwen-3 mission,
designed to advance the exploration of Mars, is scheduled to begin its journey
in 2028. The information obtained through the mission could mark a significant
milestone for the global scientific community in understanding the history and
structure of Mars. China’s initiative to create a comprehensive geological map
of Mars represents a significant development in the history of space
exploration. The project is expected to improve humanity’s understanding of
planetary evolution and the ancient history of celestial bodies, combining
advanced technology with scientific expertise.