China Launches Tianwen-2 Spacecraft to Explore Asteroid and Comet-Like Object

China has successfully launched the Tianwen-2 spacecraft, marking a significant step in its Solar System exploration efforts. The spacecraft, weighing 2.1 metric tons, lifted off aboard a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang launch base. Its mission is twofold: to collect samples from asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa and later explore a comet-like object in the asteroid belt. Kamoʻoalewa, a near-Earth asteroid, is unique as a "quasi-satellite" of Earth, sharing a similar orbital path. This proximity makes it an ideal target for sample collection. Tianwen-2 will reach the asteroid in July 2026, collect samples using a robotic arm and a touch-and-go method, and return them to Earth by late 2027. After dropping off the samples, the spacecraft will journey to 311P/PanSTARRS, a rare active asteroid with comet-like features. This mission is part of China's broader ambitions in space, following the success of Tianwen-1 on Mars. It underscores China's growing role in Solar System exploration, aiming to enhance understanding of asteroids, comets, and their implications for Earth's history. The mission's success will provide valuable insights into the origins of the Moon and Earth, furthering scientific knowledge and advancing China's space program.

Published: 5/29/2025