The Chinese mainland kicked off a new era in space research by launching Tianwen-2, its first asteroid sample-return mission, during the early hours of Thursday. The long-anticipated mission will gather data crucial to understanding how asteroids and comets formed and evolved in the early solar system.
Over a planned decade-long voyage, the spacecraft will first rendezvous with near-Earth asteroid 2016 HO3 to collect surface samples. Next, it will venture beyond Mars to explore the main-belt comet 311P, seeking clues about the watery and dusty materials that shaped planetary bodies.
A Long March-3B carrier rocket powered the spacecraft skyward at 1:31 a.m. Beijing Time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province on the Chinese mainland. The precision lift-off underscores the Chinese mainland's growing capabilities in deep-space missions.
By comparing samples from an asteroid and a comet, scientists hope to unlock new insights into the solar system's building blocks. As Tianwen-2 embarks on its journey, young innovators, space enthusiasts, and sustainability advocates alike will be watching to see how its discoveries could influence the future of space science and resource exploration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
