China has released its first image from the Tianwen 2 spacecraft, which is on a mission to study a mysterious asteroid known as Kamoʻoalewa. The spacecraft launched in May 2023 and is now over 1.8 million miles away from Earth, operating well according to officials.
The image shows one of the spacecraft’s solar panels and marks the first actual picture taken by Tianwen 2, which was previously only shown through artistic renderings. The mission aims to provide data on asteroids and comets, helping scientists understand the solar system’s evolution and the origin of water on Earth.
Tianwen 2 will reach Kamoʻoalewa in July 2026 and spend several months studying the asteroid before collecting samples. It is China’s second planetary exploration mission, following Tianwen 1, which sent an orbiter and rover to Mars in 2020.
The spacecraft is expected to rendezvous with main belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS in 2035 after completing its asteroid mission. This marks a significant milestone for China’s growing space sector, which has also successfully conducted sample-return missions with Chang’e 2, Chang’e 5, and Chang’e 6.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/chinas-tianwen-2-spacecraft-sends-home-1st-photo-as-it-heads-for-mysterious-quasi-moon-asteroid