China has launched its Tianwen-2 space probe from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, targeting the asteroid 2016 HO3 (469219 Kamoʻoalewa) near Mars to collect samples. This mission is a key part of China's ambitious 10-year space plan, which includes future Mars and Jupiter missions. The samples, expected to return in about two years, could offer crucial insights into Earth's formation. Due to the U.S. Wolf Amendment, NASA is prohibited from cooperating with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) or receiving these samples.
China launches Tianwen-2 space probe to collect samples from asteroid near Mars
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️China has launched its Tianwen-2 space probe from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, targeting the asteroid 2016 HO3 (469219 Kamoʻoalewa) near Mars to collect samples. This mission is a key part of China's ambitious 10-year space plan, which includes future Mars and Jupiter missions. The samples, expected to return in about two years, could offer crucial insights into Earth's formation. Due to the U.S. Wolf Amendment, NASA is prohibited from cooperating with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) or receiving these samples.
Trending- 1 2011: Wolf Amendment passed, restricting NASA-CNSA cooperation
- 2 May 2024: Tianwen-1 launched
- 3 Thursday (May 29, 2025): Tianwen-2 probe launched
- 4 May 2027 (approx.): Samples from 2016HO3 due to be returned
- 5 2028: Tianwen-3 Mars sampling return mission planned
- 6 Future: Tianwen-4 to head toward Jupiter
- Potential for new scientific discoveries about Earth's formation and the origins of water
- China's growing influence and capabilities in space exploration
- Continued lack of cooperation between NASA and CNSA due to U.S. law
What: China launched the Tianwen-2 space probe to collect samples from the asteroid 2016 HO3 (469219 Kamoʻoalewa) near Mars.
When: Launched Thursday (May 29, 2025); Tianwen-1 launched a year ago (May 2024); samples due to be returned in about two years (May 2027); Wolf Amendment passed in 2011; Tianwen-3 planned for 2028.
Where: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, southwest China; asteroid 2016 HO3 (469219 Kamoʻoalewa) near Mars; Jupiter (future Tianwen-4 target).
Why: To collect samples from an asteroid to find potential 'groundbreaking' results and clues about the formation of Earth, such as the origins of water. It's part of China's expansion into space exploration.
How: The Tianwen-2 probe was launched aboard the workhorse Long March 3-B rocket.