Chinese researchers plan Mars mission ‘around 2020’

BEIJING (AFP) ― Chinese scientists are planning to launch a Mars rover “around 2020,” state media reported, as the country pours billions into its space program and works to catch up with the U.S. and Europe.

Although the government has not officially announced plans for a Mars mission, officials from the China National Space Administration are currently lobbying to have it put on the agenda and have begun “preliminary research,” the state-run China Daily reported.

“We plan to conduct the Mars mission around 2020, which will include the probe’s orbiting, landing and roaming,” Peng Tao, a space expert with the China Academy of Space Technology, was quoted by China Daily as saying.

“By contrast, other nations will need multiple missions to achieve those three steps.”

The statements came less than a week after prototypes for the Mars rover were debuted at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.

China’s recent space efforts have been focused on exploring the moon.