China's bold step: Tianwen-2 mission to decode asteroids

• The Tianwen-2 mission launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.
• The target is asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, with samples expected to return to Earth in 2027.
• The probe is also set to reach comet 311P/PANSTARRS.

China is continuing its ambitious space exploration plans, this time with the Tianwen-2 mission. Launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, the probe is set to reach asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa. This is another step in China's space programme, which aims to test new technologies and techniques for collecting samples from celestial bodies.

Asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, discovered in 2016, is part of the near-Earth asteroid group and is a quasi-satellite of our planet. The Chinese probe is scheduled to reach it in July 2026 and study its surface for seven months, collecting samples.

The Tianwen-2 mission is set to test various sample-collection methods. In addition to the "touch-and-go" technique, the probe will attempt to hover over the asteroid's surface and "anchor" itself using drills. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness and precision of collecting research material.

After completing studies on the asteroid, the Tianwen-2 probe will head towards comet 311P/PANSTARRS. Reaching it will take six years. This comet is an interesting object because it exhibits characteristics of both asteroids and comets. The Chinese probe is set to enter its orbit, allowing for further studies.

The Tianwen-2 mission is significant not only for China's space programme but also for global science. Studies of asteroids can provide valuable information about the history of the Solar System and potential threats to Earth. Moreover, samples from the asteroid may help in understanding its origin, which is crucial for future space missions.