China's National Space Agency successfully launched the Tianwen 2 probe, marking the nation's inaugural asteroid sample mission. Aboard a Long March 3B rocket, the probe targets the quasi-satellite asteroid 2016HO3. Scientists regard this mission as an attractive venture due to the asteroid's relatively close proximity to Earth. The 2024 mission aims to collect 100 grams of material before returning to Earth and eventually targeting comet 311P. This endeavor will also validate China's autonomous deep-space operational capabilities, paving the way for future explorations, including a potential Mars sample retrieval in 2028.
The Tianwen 2 mission is a significant milestone for China's space exploration efforts, aiming to collect samples from Asteroid 2016HO3 and advance knowledge of our solar system.
China's National Space Agency successfully launched Tianwen 2 to Asteroid 2016HO3, a quasi-moon providing unique opportunities for exploration and insight into small celestial bodies.
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