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2025-05

Tianwen-2 Mission Launched Successfully

At 1:31 AM today, China successfully launched the Tianwen-2 planetary exploration probe from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using the Long March-3B Y110 carrier rocket. Approximately 18 minutes after launch, the rocket placed the probe into a transfer orbit to the asteroid 2016HO3. Subsequently, the probe's solar wings deployed normally, marking the complete success of the launch mission.

The primary mission objectives of Tianwen-2 are to explore, sample, and return from the asteroid 2016HO3, followed by scientific exploration of the main-belt comet 311P.

The engineering goals of the Tianwen-2 mission include breakthroughs in key technologies such as surface sampling on low-gravity celestial bodies, high-precision relative autonomous navigation and control, and low-thrust transfer orbit design. Additionally, the mission aims to provide exploration data and valuable samples for cutting-edge scientific research on the origin and evolution of asteroids.