https://sputnikglobe.com/20260618/nasas-high-stakes-gamble-vs-chinas-clockwork-advance-in-race-to-mars-1124328804.html
NASA’s High-Stakes Gamble vs. China’s Clockwork Advance in Race to Mars
NASA’s High-Stakes Gamble vs. China’s Clockwork Advance in Race to Mars
Sputnik International
NASA has tapped Relativity Space, a 3D-printing rocket startup led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, to deliver the Aeolus Mars orbiter mission, targeting a launch in 2028.
2026-06-18T15:01+0000
2026-06-18T15:01+0000
2026-06-18T15:01+0000
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China's Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission is well on track for the same launch window.The contrast is striking: NASA is betting on a fast-moving private-sector newcomer, while China is relying on tested hardware and a methodical strategy.Meanwhile, China’s Tianwen-3 uses two proven Long March 5 rockets, featuring a lander, ascender, orbiter, and return capsule — building directly on Tianwen-1 and Chang’e lunar successes.It aims to return Mars samples to Earth by 2031, potentially achieving a historic first.
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science & tech, us, china, nasa, mars, eric schmidt
science & tech, us, china, nasa, mars, eric schmidt
NASA’s High-Stakes Gamble vs. China’s Clockwork Advance in Race to Mars
NASA has tapped Relativity Space, a 3D-printing rocket startup led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, to deliver the Aeolus Mars orbiter mission, targeting a launch in 2028.
China's Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission is well on track for the same launch window.
The contrast is striking: NASA is betting on a fast-moving private-sector newcomer, while China is relying on tested hardware and a methodical strategy.
Aeolus will provide the first daily global monitoring of Martian dust storms, winds, and temperatures, helping prepare future missions and human exploration
Relativity will supply the spacecraft and its new Terran R rocket — a heavy-lift vehicle that is yet to fly, with a maiden launch set for late 2026
The company's earlier Terran 1 rocket failed during its first orbital attempt in 2023 after an upper-stage engine anomaly
Meanwhile, China’s Tianwen-3 uses two proven Long March 5 rockets, featuring a lander, ascender, orbiter, and return capsule — building directly on Tianwen-1 and Chang’e lunar successes.
It aims to return Mars samples to Earth by 2031, potentially achieving a historic first.
