πŸ“ Tianwen-2 Mission

  • Objective: China’s first asteroid sample-return mission, followed by a main-belt comet exploration.
  • Launch: May 28/29, 2025 (Long March 3B rocket).
  • Primary Target: Asteroid 469219 KamoΚ»oalewa (a quasi-satellite of Earth).
    • Goal: Collect $\ge 100\text{g}$ of surface/subsurface samples.
    • Sample Return: Expected landing on Earth in November 2027.
  • Secondary Target: Main-belt comet 311P/PanSTARRS.
    • Arrival: Expected in January 2035 for remote sensing and exploration.
  • Scientific Significance: To gain insights into the origins of the Solar System and the role of small bodies in delivering water and volatiles to early Earth.
  • Context: Advanced step in China’s deep-space program, following Tianwen-1 (Mars).
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