China's Probe Set to Land on Asteroid on July 4

Mission Tianwen-2 Targets Asteroid Kamoʻoalewa

According to НВ — Техно: China's Tianwen-2 mission to the asteroid Kamoʻoalewa is proceeding according to schedule. The probe entered the asteroid's orbit on June 7, with a landing on its surface planned for July 4. The primary goal of this expedition is to collect soil samples. The return capsule carrying these samples is scheduled to land on Earth in November 2027. This mission marks a significant step in China's deep space exploration efforts.

Asteroid Characteristics

The asteroid Kamoʻoalewa measures between 40 and 100 meters in length and orbits the Sun in sync with Earth. It is located roughly 4.6 million kilometers from our planet. Launched in May 2025, the Tianwen-2 probe is set to map the asteroid's surface from altitudes ranging between 300 meters and 20 kilometers. It is expected to collect approximately 100 grams of regolith.

A scientific hypothesis suggests that Kamoʻoalewa may be a fragment of the Moon, possibly ejected from the Giordano Bruno crater region. That crater spans 22 kilometers in width. Upon return, the sample capsule will enter Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 43,500 km/h. After completing its mission at Kamoʻoalewa, the Tianwen-2 probe will head to object 311P/PanSTARRS in 2035.

The Tianwen-2 mission represents a crucial milestone in space research, as it could yield fresh insights into the origins of asteroids and their connection to the Moon. Collecting regolith samples from Kamoʻoalewa will aid in assessing potential resources for future space missions and deepen our understanding of how the Solar System formed. The outcomes of this expedition may significantly influence subsequent research and long-term plans for space exploration.