This Thursday, the Chinese mainland is set to make history as it launches Tianwen-2, its first asteroid sampling mission. The Long March-3B Y110 carrier rocket is already undergoing propellant loading at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province on the Chinese mainland.
Tianwen-2 aims to pull double duty in deep space: performing a close fly-by and sample collection of near-Earth asteroid 2016 HO3, nicknamed Kamo'oalewa, before returning precious material back to Earth. The mission then plans a rendezvous with main-belt comet 311P to conduct fly-by observations.
If all goes according to plan, the Chinese mainland will join an elite group including the United States and Japan in successfully executing an asteroid sample-return mission. Cosmic dust and rock from Kamo'oalewa could offer clues to the solar system's origins and the building blocks of life.
Behind the scenes, mission engineers have completed final assembly, system tests, fueling, transfer procedures, and joint rehearsals. The launch vehicle has passed transport, vertical erection, probe integration, fairing encapsulation, and full-system testing stages.
Coordinated drills have linked key hubs: the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, the Xi'an Satellite Monitoring Center, and the Yuanwang tracking ship fleet. These synchronized efforts underline a robust infrastructure for deep-space exploration.
For young global citizens, tech enthusiasts, and sustainability-minded travelers alike, Tianwen-2 represents a bold leap into the unknown – fueled by innovation, collaboration, and a shared passion for discovery. Stay tuned for liftoff and new cosmic insights.
Reference(s):
China set to launch first asteroid mission Tianwen-2 on Thursday
cgtn.com
