From Mars To Neptune: China’s Deep Space Exploration Roadmap Is Out Of This World

As the global space race intensifies, China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory unveils a strategic plan to better understand our solar system. The detailed space exploration plan from China runs through 11 years, covering trips to four planets in our solar system.

China Hopes To Dominate The Space Race With Its Deep Space Exploration Plan

Three years ago, the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory was founded in China to drive the country’s dreams of exploring our solar system. The details on this laboratory, as well as the various projects it’s working on, are not available to the public as they might be viewed as a national secret.

What we do know about the laboratory is that it is located in eastern China and is a partnership between the country’s National Space Agency and the University of Science and Technology of China. Finally, we are now learning a bit about the plans that the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in China is making regarding the exploration of our solar system.

This plan was revealed by Andrew Jones, a space journalist who tracks the various Chinese space programs. In a recent X post, Jones reveals the plans for China’s space exploration are revealed by the laboratory.

The plans kick off in 2028 and run through 2039. During this 11-year period the laboratory is planning five major missions. With this new plan, China intends to launch the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission in 2028, and the Tianwen-4 to Jupiter and Callisto mission will follow in 2029.

In 2033, China will launch the Venus atmosphere sample return mission, and in 2038, the country will open the Mars Research Station for ISRU. The final goal in this plan is for 203,9 when China will send a probe to Neptune and Triton.

Should The US Be Concerned About China’s Deep Space Exploration Plan?

The simple answer to the question in the subheading above is a resounding yes. If the US is interested in dominating the global space industry, then they should be concerned about China’s Deep Space Exploration plan.

Currently, the US is facing some challenges within its space industry as a handful of issues plague its various space agencies. With the Doge cuts of space exploration funding the US might find itself lagging behind China in the global space race.

However, not all plans unveiled by the Deep Space Exploration have undergone governmental approval. Only the first two missions to Mars and Jupiter have received approval from the government.
Regardless, the US needs to step up and set things straight regarding its space exploration plans. If the US fails to unveil any substantial plans in the coming years, it’ll find itself behind China in the global space race.