Long March 3B/E | Tianwen-2
Launch Successful
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Launch Window
May 28, 2025, 5:22 p.m. - May 28, 2025, 5:44 p.m.
May 28, 2025, 5:22 p.m. - May 28, 2025, 5:44 p.m.
Tianwen-2 is a planned Chinese asteroid sample return and comet orbiter mission due for launch in May 2025. The spacecraft will visit the Near Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3), collecting samples from its surface using both touch-and-go and anchor-and-drill approaches. It will return the samples back to Earth around 2.5 years after launch, with the main spacecraft proceeding to visit the main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS in the mid-2030s.
NET May 28 UTC. (Launch pad is per https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/f8ojaDIp7LsRK8hPfpfLwg)
Added launch window.
Liftoff.
Launch success.
Added launch.
The Long March 3B / E (G2) (CZ-3B / E) is one of the most successful medium-range launchers and the strongest variant of the CZ-3 series. It was specially developed for the transport of heavy communications satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. The additional designation "E" stands for a higher payload fairing, stretched boosters and extended fuel tanks at the first stage, over the CZ-3B.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
INFO WIKI
HELSINKI — The spacecraft for China’s Tianwen-2 combined near-Earth asteroid sample return and comet rendezvous mission has arrived at Xichang spaceport for launch preparations. The Tianwen-2 spacecraft arrived at Xichang […] The post Chi…
HELSINKI — China is set to launch its second Tianwen deep space exploration mission late May, targeting both a near Earth asteroid and a main belt comet. The Tianwen-2 spacecraft […] The post China to launch Tianwen-2 asteroid sampling mi…
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