China will build a robotic Mars base by 2038

In March, China unveiled an ambitious update to its interplanetary exploration strategy, aiming to establish a robotic research base on Mars by 2038, as part of a broader roadmap to explore the Solar System through 2050. The initiative is managed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

In 2019 China opened Mars Base 1 Camp - a Mars simulation base in Jinchang, Gansu Province

The first Mars-related mission on this roadmap is the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission, already approved and currently scheduled to launch in late 2028, with the aim to deliver samples back on Earth in 2031.

In 2038 China plans to establish a robotic Mars Research Station focused on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and conduct long-term Martian environmental and biological research. While initially robotic, the base’s infrastructure will lay the groundwork for future human habitation, mirroring strategies used for China’s future International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) to be permanently habitable after 2035.

Can China beat the US in the 2nd Space race to the Moon?

The Moon, a celestial body last visited by humans during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, is once again at the forefront of a new space race. Both the United States and China have outlined ambitious plans to return astronauts to the lunar surface and establish permanent bases, signaling a new era of lunar competition. In recent years China has shown rapid progress in robotic exploration of the Moon, including its far side, but can China actually surpass the US in returning humans to the Moon and establishing a continuous human presence there?

China's Lunar Exploration Program: Plans and Timeline

China's lunar ambitions are encapsulated in the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, also known as the Chang'e program, named after the mythical moon goddess. This program has currently progressed through several phases, with the future phases focusing on manned missions and base construction:

• Phase 1: Orbiting (2007-2010): Chang'e 1 and 2 successfully orbited the Moon, mapping its surface and testing technologies, laying the groundwork for subsequent missions.
• Phase 2: Robotic landing (2013-2019): Chang'e 3 (2013) and Chang'e 4 (2019) achieved soft landings, with Chang'e 4 notably landing on the far side of the Moon, a first in space exploration history.
• Phase 3: Sample return (2020-2024): Chang'e 5 (2020) and Chang'e 6 (2024) returned lunar samples, with Chang'e 6 being the first to collect from the far side, enhancing understanding of lunar composition.
• Phase 4: Robotic research station (2026-2028): The goal of Phase 4 is the development of an autonomous lunar research station near the Moon's south pole. Chang’e 7 (2026) will survey the south pole for water-ice and test in situ resource utilization (ISRU). Chang’e 8 (2028) will demonstrate advanced technologies including 3D-printed structures and ISRU methods critical for a future habitat.
• Phase 5: Manned landing (2029-2030): China's National Space Administration (CNSA) aims to land its first two-person crew on the lunar surface by 2030 (in some recent presentations even 2029), using a Lanyue lander and a Mengzhou re-entry capsule launched by heavy-lift Long March 10 rockets from Hainan’s Wenchang site. Large-scale tests of the lander and capsule systems are “on schedule,” though experts note China still trails NASA in overall crewed lunar infrastructure.
• Phase 6: International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) (2035): China aims to establish ILRS in the 2030s, initially as a robotic base, with plans to make it permanently habitable after 2035. The first phase of the lunar base is expected to be completed around 2035, with an extended model by 2050, located near the lunar south pole for access to water ice.

China's technological approach includes leveraging ISRU, such as 3D-printing bricks from lunar soil during the Chang'e 8 mission, which could reduce reliance on Earth-based supplies and enhance sustainability. Research suggests China is also exploring lava tubes as potential habitats, offering natural protection from radiation and micrometeorites.

Poster "Join us on Mars" by Jode Thompson

Here is a poster "Join us on Mars" by Canadian illustrator Jode Thompson created for Jacob Haqq-Misra's article "Liberate the Red Planet" published on Boston Globe.

The poster features a retro-futuristic art style reminiscent of mid-20th-century sci-fi. The composition showcases a vibrant, warm-toned Martian landscape with jagged red rock formations. Silhouetted against this backdrop are two figures in space suits, standing side by side, gazing at the horizon where futuristic, antenna-topped structures hover above the terrain. Bold, stylized text proclaims "Join us on MARS" at the top, with "Apply for Citizenship Today" at the bottom, evoking a sense of adventure and possibility in a new frontier. The poster's textured, slightly distressed finish enhances its vintage aesthetic, blending nostalgia with a vision of interplanetary exploration.

Mars base model by Zuzanna Skąpska

A set of renders for a Mars base model created by Polish 3D artist Zuzanna Skąpska for Mission to Mars AR app, an interactive augmented reality experience allowing users to drive a rover, launch a rocket, and explore the Red Planet. The app was created by Immersion Labs for Smithsonian Institution and with collaboration with NASA.

The Mars base model presents a modular and expandable habitat system intended for human settlement on Mars. It comprises multiple interconnected cylindrical modules, each serving distinct functions such as living quarters, research labs, or storage. The central module, marked with "MARS 2020" and an American flag, serves as the primary living area, equipped with communication equipment and access points for surface operations. Adjacent to this is a domed greenhouse structure, crucial for growing food and supporting human life in the base. The design incorporates protective features against Mars' harsh conditions, including radiation shielding, and allows for future expansion as the base grows.