China Unveils AI-Driven Full-Mars Geological Map Plan

Chinese scientists are advancing the compilation of a new-generation full-Mars geological map that will become the world’s first intelligent planetary geological map, according to an announcement at the 2026 Deep Space Exploration (Tiandu) International Conference in Hefei. The project, revealed by Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Hou Zengqian, chief scientist of the Tianwen-3 mission, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency, represents a significant step forward in planetary science and directly supports China’s ambitious Mars sample return mission.

A Data-Driven, Intelligent Approach

The new map is built on the core concept of “data-driven, intelligent mapping,” fully utilizing exploration data from the Tianwen-1 mission while integrating multi-source international data. According to Hou, the project will fuse imaging, spectral, radar, and gravity multimodal information to highlight new scientific understanding of Mars’ geological evolution.

“This will be the world’s first intelligent Mars geological map, with the 1:5,000,000 full-Mars geological map version 1.0 planned for completion by the end of 2028,” Hou said, as reported by ITHome. The integration of artificial intelligence compilation technology for intelligent geological interpretation marks an unprecedented approach to planetary cartography.

The project builds on a recent achievement: in August 2026, Chinese research teams completed a new 1:5,000,000 full-Moon geological map, as detailed by ITHome. That lunar map, compiled by the Institute of Geology at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, incorporated the latest Chang’e mission findings and achieved systematic innovations in geological timescale revision, material inventory updates, and cartographic representation. The Moon map now serves as a technological and methodological precedent for the Mars mapping initiative.

Supporting the Tianwen-3 Sample Return Mission

The geological map project is intrinsically linked to the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission, which aims to be humanity’s first successful Mars sample return. The mission has entered the initial prototype development stage, as confirmed at the conference, with launch planned for around 2028 and samples expected to return to Earth by approximately 2031.

Hou emphasized that searching for potential traces of life on Mars is the primary scientific objective of Tianwen-3. “Mars is one of the terrestrial planets most similar to Earth in the solar system, and is also recognized as a celestial body that may have nurtured life beyond Earth,” he said during the conference proceedings covered by Da Wan News. “Early Mars had liquid water and possessed an environment suitable for life to thrive.”

The chief scientist outlined three core challenges facing the sample return mission: site selection, contamination control, and life trace identification. Eight candidate landing zones have been preliminarily selected, with the final landing zone to be determined by the end of 2026.

To address contamination concerns, China will build the world’s first “Planetary Protection Laboratory,” establishing a bidirectional protection system. As Hou explained, the facility will “both prevent Earth microorganisms from contaminating Mars and ensure returned samples are safely isolated and protected from harming Earth, while also maximizing protection of Mars samples from contamination by Earth organisms and materials.”

A Historic Scientific Frontier

Over more than half a century, 47 Mars exploration missions have been conducted globally, achieving flybys, orbital operations, landings, and rover exploration. However, sample return and crewed exploration have not yet achieved decisive breakthroughs. The 2026 Deep Space Exploration (Tiandu) International Conference, themed “Sustainable Deep Space Exploration - Opportunities and Challenges,” brought together approximately 100 international guests from over 40 countries and about 300 domestic experts, underscoring the global significance of these efforts.

Hou’s earlier scientific blueprint for the Tianwen-3 mission, published in Nature Astronomy in June 2025, had already established the mission’s three primary scientific goals: searching for potential life traces, studying Mars’ habitability evolution, and understanding Mars’ geological structure and evolution. The geological map project now provides the cartographic foundation for achieving these objectives.

What to Watch For

The convergence of AI-driven planetary mapping, advanced sample return engineering, and international scientific cooperation positions China at the forefront of Mars exploration. The geological map, scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, will provide essential scientific context for understanding regional geology at landing sites and interpreting returned samples within their broader geological framework.

As Guancha reported in an earlier interview, Hou expressed hope that China could “seize the initiative” in Mars sample return, giving Chinese scientists and the international community an unprecedented opportunity to understand the Red Planet. With the final landing zone decision expected by the end of 2026 and the geological map targeted for 2028, the coming years will be critical for this ambitious scientific endeavor.