China has launched its first mission to retrieve samples from an asteroid, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's aspirations for interplanetary exploration. The Tianwen-2 spacecraft, propelled by the Long March 3B rocket from Sichuan, is set to reach asteroid 469219 Kamooalewa in 2026. This mission aims to gather insights about asteroids and the early solar system and, if successful, would position China as the third country to return asteroid samples. The launch signifies a growing commitment to space research and exploration by China as stated by CNSA head Shan Zhongde.
The mission aims to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system, marking a significant step for China's interplanetary exploration.
Tianwen-2 will approach asteroid 469219 Kamooalewa, potentially a fragment of the Moon, retrieving samples for Earth by November 2027.
China's successful launch makes it the third country to potentially fetch pristine asteroid rocks, following Japan and the US.
CNSA head Shan Zhongde described the mission as a significant step for interplanetary exploration and expected it to yield groundbreaking cosmic discoveries.
Collection
[
|
...
]