China’s Tianwen-2 mission has arrived at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, marking an important milestone for its upcoming launch. The mission, scheduled to take place in the first half of this year, will conduct several tasks in a single launch, including a flyby of asteroid 2016 HO3 and an exploration of main-belt comet 311P.
Asteroid 2016 HO3, often referred to as “Earth’s quasi-satellite,” orbits near our planet and has a similar revolution period. It holds significant scientific value due to its primitive information from the early solar system, making it a valuable target for studying the composition, formation process, and evolutionary history of the system.
The comet 311P is a small body located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Studying this celestial body will help scientists understand the material composition, structure, and evolution mechanisms of small bodies in the solar system, filling a gap in current research. The CNSA’s statement emphasizes the importance of this mission, highlighting its potential to expand our knowledge of the solar system.
Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328784.shtml