China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft development team was awarded the World Space Award, the highest award by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), at the 73rd International Astronautical Congress held in Paris, France, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said on Monday.

The team "offered an innovative option for successful Mars exploration" and made "outstanding contributions" to the advancement of deep space exploration technology, said the IAF.

The IAF World Space Award is the Federation's most prestigious award. It presented to scientists who have made an exceptional impact to the progress of the world space activities through outstanding contribution in space science, technology, medicine, law or management.

It's the second time a Chinese aerospace team has been granted the honor. In July 2020, three scientists from the country's Chang' e-4 lunar landing mission team had won the award, which soft landed on the far side of the moon for the first time in history and sustained relay communication between the far side of the moon and the Earth.