China successfully launched its Tianwen-2 mission on May 28, 2025, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, using a Long March 3B rocket. This mission marks China's first attempt to retrieve samples from an asteroid and study a comet, furthering the nation's deep space exploration program.
The primary target of Tianwen-2 is the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, also known as 2016 HO3, a quasi-satellite of Earth. The spacecraft is expected to reach Kamoʻoalewa in July 2026, where it will spend approximately seven months conducting detailed studies and collecting samples. These samples are scheduled to return to Earth by November 2027.
Following the asteroid study, Tianwen-2 will utilize a gravity assist maneuver to travel to comet 311P/PANSTARRS, arriving around January 2035. The mission is equipped with 11 scientific instruments, including spectrometers, high-resolution cameras, and a radar, to analyze both celestial bodies. Tianwen-2 will test various sample collection techniques, such as hovering, using a robotic arm, and anchoring with drills, enhancing China's capabilities in deep space exploration and sample return missions.