In an exciting leap for space exploration, China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, early Thursday. This ambitious venture is set to explore the mysteries of asteroid formation and the early solar system, sparking inspiration among young adventurers and space enthusiasts alike. 🚀
The mission has a twofold goal: first, it will collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3; then, it will journey on to study the main-belt comet 311P, a cosmic body orbiting farther than Mars. A Long March-3B carrier rocket propelled the Tianwen-2 probe from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province at 1:31 a.m. Beijing Time, and about 18 minutes later, the spacecraft was on its way to the asteroid.
After a flawless deployment of its solar panels, the probe set off on a decade-long expedition that could transform our understanding of the universe. This milestone not only marks a significant achievement in space technology but also fuels the dreams of a new generation eager to explore the cosmos. 🌌
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
