Mission authorities made the final go-ahead decision after detailed technical reviews and evaluations. Preparations at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center are progressing as planned, with the Long March 3B rocket nearing fueling operations.

The Tianwen 2 spacecraft and launch vehicle have been assembled and successfully passed functional checks, CNSA reported.

Tianwen 2's primary goal is to collect and return surface samples from 2016 HO3, also known as 469219 Kamo'oalewa. This asteroid is considered a quasi-satellite of Earth and may be a fragment of the Moon. The mission will use a touch-and-go sampling method, similar to the approach used by Japan's Hayabusa 2 and NASA's OSIRIS-REx. After collection, a return capsule will reenter Earth's atmosphere with the samples.

After the return leg, the main spacecraft will perform a gravity assist maneuver around Earth to redirect itself toward 311P, a main-belt comet. The probe will continue its journey to expand China's scientific investigation of small celestial bodies.

Discovered in April 2016 at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii, 2016 HO3 maintains a stable solar orbit near Earth, making it a prime candidate for study. Researchers hope the mission will shed light on early solar system formation and chemical composition.

Comet 311P, while located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, shows characteristics common to both asteroids and comets.

The Tianwen program, named for a classical Chinese poem, represents China's expanding ambitions in deep space. Tianwen 1, launched in July 2020, landed successfully on Mars in May 2021 and deployed the Zhurong rover, marking China's first Martian landing.

Tianwen missions are seen as critical steps in establishing China's presence in interplanetary science.

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China National Space Administration
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