Robots will play an important role in supporting astronauts living on Mars and exploring the red planet, a senior space scientist said.

Ouyang Ziyuan, a senior adviser to China's lunar program and its former chief scientist, told Xinhua News Agency in an article published on Thursday that robots will be essential in supporting human activity.

"The environment on the Martian surface has low atmospheric pressure and low temperatures, so astronauts will have problems if they have no robotic assistance," Ouyang said. "Robots can help astronauts produce and transport construction materials, build facilities and operate bases."