The Aporia
Zhen, L. (2026, September 29). China reveals plan to map the entire surface of Mars by 2028 amid race with US. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3369127/china-reveals-plan-map-entire-surface-mars-2028-amid-race-us?utm_source=rss_feed
Zhen, Liu. “China reveals plan to map the entire surface of Mars by 2028 amid race with US.” South China Morning Post, 29 Sept. 2026, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3369127/china-reveals-plan-map-entire-surface-mars-2028-amid-race-us?utm_source=rss_feed.
Zhen, Liu. “China reveals plan to map the entire surface of Mars by 2028 amid race with US.” South China Morning Post, September 29, 2026. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3369127/china-reveals-plan-map-entire-surface-mars-2028-amid-race-us?utm_source=rss_feed.
Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.
China announced plans in 2023 to complete a detailed geological map of Mars by the end of 2028, marking an intensifying space competition with the United States. According to state news agency Xinhua, this will be the first AI-driven geological mapping project on Mars, set to become the global standard for planetary geology. The initiative is a key component of preparations for China's upcoming Tianwen-3 mission and incorporates data from its inaugural rover on Mars, named Zhu Rong.