China is poised to launch its first asteroid exploration mission, Tianwen-2, this Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s burgeoning space program.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that the Long March-3B Y110 carrier rocket, designated for the mission, is undergoing final propellant loading at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.
Designed to achieve multiple deep-space objectives in a single journey, Tianwen-2 will embark on a close fly-by and sampling of the near-Earth asteroid known as 2016 HO3, or Kamo’oalewa. After collecting samples and returning them to Earth, the probe will continue its voyage to rendezvous with and conduct a fly-by investigation of main-belt comet 311P.
If successful, China will join the United States and Japan as one of the few countries to have completed asteroid sample-return missions, showcasing its growing capabilities in space exploration.
The CNSA reported that the Tianwen-2 probe has successfully passed all pre-launch preparations, including final assembly, system testing, fueling, transfer procedures, functional checks, and joint pre-launch rehearsals. The launch vehicle has also completed transport, vertical erection, probe integration, fairing encapsulation, and comprehensive system testing.
Comprehensive system drills have been conducted, coordinating efforts across all mission units such as the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, the Xi’an Satellite Monitoring Center, and the Yuanwang tracking ship fleet, ensuring readiness for the upcoming launch.
Tianwen-2’s ambitious mission highlights China’s commitment to advancing its space exploration efforts and contributes to global scientific understanding of asteroids and comets.
