China’s space agency has confirmed that the country’s second interplanetary expedition, Tianwen 2, is scheduled to be launched in the coming months from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The mission aims to return an asteroid sample for scientific research.
According to China National Space Administration, the robotic probe will target 2016 HO3, the smallest and closest quasi-satellite to Earth. The spacecraft’s two-part design includes a large carrier rocket sending an orbiter towards the asteroid, followed by a mechanical arm scooping dust from its surface.
After collecting samples, Tianwen 2 will fly back to Earth’s orbit, releasing its reentry module with the collected material. The orbiter will then continue on to explore a main-belt comet called 311P.
The mission is expected to provide insights into the solar system’s early history and composition of small celestial bodies. China has already successfully launched a similar mission, Tianwen 1, which touched down on Mars in May 2021, followed by an orbiter exploring the Red Planet.
Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202502/21/WS67b7d13da310c240449d671d.html