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Story summary
- Chief scientist Hou Zengqian announced China will complete a next-generation Martian geological map by end-2028.
- The atlas will support the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission slated for launch around 2028.
- The map will incorporate Zhurong rover data indicating a 3.5-billion-year-old ocean and 1.6-billion-year flooding.
- It will be the first intelligent geologic atlas using imagery and spectroscopy and radar and AI at 1:5,000,000 scale.