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Time of India
01-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
CNSA releases images of Earth and Moon by Tianwen-2 from 590,000 km in deep space
China's Tianwen-2 probe has officially begun its deep space mission by capturing a stunning image of Earth and the Moon from 590,000 kilometers away. Released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on July 1, the image symbolises the start of a decade-long journey to explore a near-Earth asteroid and a distant comet. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Launched on May 29, Tianwen-2 will collect samples from asteroid Kamo'oalewa by 2027 and later investigate comet 311P/PANSTARRS. This dual-target mission marks a significant step forward for China's space program, aiming to unlock key secrets about the origin of the Moon, water, and life. Tianwen-2 probe: Earth-Moon images from deep space released by CNSA The stunning photo was taken on May 30, 2025, when Tianwen-2 was nearly 590,000 kilometers away from Earth. The picture beautifully frames Earth and its natural satellite, the Moon, together in the vast darkness of space. This image was captured using the spacecraft's narrow-field-of-view navigation sensor, an instrument designed to help the spacecraft maintain its orientation and enable precise autonomous navigation. This camera plays a critical role in guiding Tianwen-2 through deep space, allowing it to operate independently from ground control while maintaining stability during its long voyage. Source: CNSA Source: CNSA Tianwen-2 marks milestone with over 12 million km travelled since May 29 launch As of July 1, 2025 , CNSA reports that Tianwen-2 is operating smoothly. As reported, the Tianwen-2 probe has been in orbit for 33 days with a distance of 12 million kilometres since its May 29 launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3B rocket. Its successful performance in this early stage builds confidence in its ability to complete its complex multi-target mission. This probe is part of China's broader space strategy to expand its scientific reach beyond the Moon and Mars, pushing boundaries into asteroid and comet exploration—domains previously dominated by NASA, ESA, and JAXA. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tianwen-2 heads toward Kamo'oalewa; a mysterious near-Earth asteroid Tianwen-2 is heading toward Kamo'oalewa, a small near-Earth asteroid that orbits the Sun in a path similar to Earth's. What makes this asteroid particularly intriguing is the hypothesis that it might be a fragment of the Moon, dislodged by a massive impact event in the distant past. Upon arrival in 2026, the spacecraft will conduct detailed investigations, including: Surface imaging and mapping Material composition analysis Landing and sample collection The samples will then be returned to Earth by 2027, providing researchers with rare, untouched material from a near-Earth object—potentially from the Moon's ancient past. Tianwen-2 to explore mysterious comet after asteroid sample return Tianwen-2's mission doesn't end after the asteroid sample returns. It will be re-tasked to study the comet 311P/PANSTARRS, known for its active tail and mysterious dust ejection events. This phase of the mission could begin shortly after the asteroid visit and will involve: Close flybys of the comet's nucleus Observations of gas and dust activity Analysis of chemical composition Scientists hope this exploration could provide vital clues about the origin of Earth's water and organic molecules, helping to answer one of science's oldest questions—how life-supporting ingredients arrived on our planet. Tianwen-2 sets a new standard with 10-year asteroid-to-comet space voyage According to The Astronomy Magazine , the Tianwen-2 mission is planned to last more than 10 years, making it one of the longest and most scientifically rich deep-space missions in China's history. Its dual-phase nature—first targeting an asteroid, then a comet—requires exceptional engineering and mission planning. This strategy mirrors the complexity and ambition of missions like NASA's OSIRIS-REx and ESA's Rosetta, but with a uniquely Chinese twist: combining asteroid sample return and comet observation into a single, seamless voyage. Also Read |
The Star
01-07-2025
- Science
- The Star
China's asteroid sampling spacecraft sends back pictures of Earth and moon
This image released by the China National Space Administration shows a view of the Earth captured by the Tianwen 2 probe on May 30, 2025 and post-processed by scientific researchers. - Supplied/China Daily BEIJING: China's Tianwen 2 asteroid sampling spacecraft had been on its interplanetary itinerary for over 33 days as of Tuesday (July 1) morning, with the robotic probe being more than 12 million kilometres away from Earth, according to the China National Space Administration. The administration said in a brief news release that the Tianwen 2 spacecraft is travelling in a transfer trajectory toward its destination, an asteroid called 2016 HO3, and had been in a good condition by that morning. The administration also published two pictures taken by the spacecraft's narrow-field-of-view navigation sensor, showing Earth and the moon when it was about 590,000km away from our mother planet and the moon, respectively. The Tianwen 2, representing China's first attempt to bring pristine asteroid materials back to Earth, was launched on May 29 by a Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan province. The mission's primary objective is to reach a small, near-Earth asteroid named 2016 HO3, which is between 40 to 100m wide, in the summer of 2026, where it will first study the celestial body up close using a suite of 11 instruments including cameras, spectrometers and radars, before deploying special devices to collect surface substances. This image released by the China National Space Administration shows a view of the moon captured by the Tianwen 2 probe on May 30, 2025 and post-processed by scientific researchers. -Supplied/China Daily The asteroid, also known as 469219 Kamo'oalewa, orbits the sun, so it remains a constant companion of Earth. It is too distant to be considered a true satellite of Earth, but it is the best and most stable example to date of a quasi-satellite. After the collection work is done, the Tianwen 2 probe is programmed to fly back to Earth's orbit to send a capsule containing the precious samples back to the ground. The samples will be distributed to scientists, who will examine their physical properties, chemical and mineralogical content and isotopic composition, contributing to studies on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system. Delivering samples to Earth will not be the end of the mission. The spacecraft will then enter the second phase of its mission: flying toward a main-belt comet called 311P to make a remote-sensing survey and transmit the data back to Earth for scientific research, according to the CNSA. The Tianwen 2 mission is expected to yield groundbreaking discoveries and expand humanity's understanding of small celestial bodies inside the solar system and our mother planet, scientists said. - China Daily/ANN
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
What is China really doing in space? Mysterious satellite maneuver stuns experts
China's activities in space have recently taken a quiet but significant turn, which might be a sign of a major evolution in how we think about satellite operations. In today's world, technology, sustainability, and national security are intertwined with one another. Such missions seem to explore the possibilities far above Earth. Recent movements by China in geostationary orbit are being closely watched by the space community, which has posted the observations on its official X handle. On January 6, 2025, a Long March 3B rocket launched from Xichang carried Shijian‑25 into geostationary transfer orbit. Built by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), it's officially tasked with 'satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technology verification,' reported Shijian-21 was launched in October 2021 on a Long March 3B rocket. Its mission was to dock with an old, no longer working satellite called Beidou-2 G2 and move it to a safe, out-of-the-way orbit above the regular geostationary satellites. This 'graveyard orbit' helps keep space clear and prevents collisions with active satellites. Both these Chinese satellites made a close approach in June Ground‑based tracking by S2A Systems detected Shijian‑21 and ‑25 converging in GEO during mid‑June. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo On June 14, they were 'virtually unresolvable from the other,' indicating a close rendezvous, which is likely expected to be a docking test, as reported by Observations also noted earlier manoeuvres on June 13 and 14, and an expected rendezvous around June 11 based on their orbital trajectories. How can this test be useful? Refuelling and servicing satellites in GEO could drastically extend their service life, reduce space debris, and lower launch demands. Shijian‑25 was intended to rendezvous with Shijian‑21 because they are in a phased orbit, which means sharing orbital elements but staggered in longitude, which can result in lowering the fuel needed for proximity operations. Although this mission is described as a civilian technology test, the close movements of the satellites have raised some concerns. According to COMSPOC OPS on social media, two US satellites, called USA 270 and USA 271, are nearby, probably keeping an eye on the Chinese satellites. COMSPOC explained, 'USA 270 and 271 now flank SJ-21 and SJ-25 from the east and west—potentially enabling favorable sun angles depending on the timing of closest approach. ' According to COMSPOC, the ongoing activity between China's Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites is unfolding in a particularly busy and sensitive area of geostationary orbit (GEO). COMSPOC also stated clearly, 'While these U.S. assets aren't directly involved, their proximity adds complexity to the local SSA picture — and raises strategic awareness concerns.' In other words, even if there's no direct interaction, just being close in such a critical orbital region makes the dynamics more complicated and potentially riskier.
WIRED
13-06-2025
- Science
- WIRED
This Chinese Spacecraft Is Traveling to One of Earth's Quasi-Moons
Jun 13, 2025 5:00 AM The Tianwen-2 probe has sent a self-portrait as it heads toward one of the most enigmatic objects in our space neighborhood: the quasi-moon Kamo'oalewa. Tianwen 2's camera captured the solar wing in its fully deployed position. Photograph: China National Space Administration (CNSA) All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. The China National Space Administration has shared the first image from its Tianwen-2 probe, which is en route to Kamo'oalewa, a near-Earth asteroid. The image was captured by a camera onboard the probe, which is currently more than 3 million kilometers from Earth, and shows one of its wings with its solar panels deployed. It is also the first glimpse the CNSA has offered of its space probe, which launched on May 29 on a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Zeyuan Town, China. The design of Tianwen-2's panels is similar in appearance to those on Lucy, NASA's space probe that is exploring asteroids floating near Jupiter. These serve to meet the power demands required for the trip. Tianwen-2's mission is to land on the surface of Kamo'oalewa, collect samples, and return to Earth. The spacecraft is scheduled to land on the asteroid's surface in July 2026. Before then, it will spend several months studying Kamo'oalewa from a safe distance, to determine its sampling area, before proceeding with landing maneuvers, a particularly difficult task given the asteroid's low gravity. Once the samples have been collected, Tianwen-2 will travel back to Earth and send its samples down to the surface in a capsule, before then attempting to use Earth's gravity as a slingshot to head toward 311P/PanSTARRS, an unusual-looking asteroid beyond Mars that has some of the characteristics of a comet, including visible tails. Tianwen-2 is expected to conduct this mission until 2035. The Enigma of the Hawaiian Quasi-Moon Kamo'oalewa is one of Earth's seven known quasi-moons—objects that appear to be orbiting our planet, but which aren't actually gravitationally bound to Earth, and are actually asteroids circling the sun in an orbit similar to Earth's. Discovered in 2016 by astronomers at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii, Kamo'oalewa—whose name means 'oscillating celestial object' in Hawaiian—is located approximately 4.65 million kilometers from our planet, 12 times further away from Earth than the moon. Kamo'oalewa is estimated to be roughly 40 to 100 meters in diameter, has maintained its current orbit for 100 years, and will probably maintain it for 300 more. It's hoped that Tianwen-2 can solve the mystery of Kamo'oalewa's origin. One theory is that it's a chunk of rock that broke off from the moon millions of years ago. The sampling mission will help multiple scientific investigations into the composition of rocky celestial bodies, as well as aid scientists in the search for clues about the formation of the solar system. Observational evidence and modeling suggest that Kamo'oalewa has been orbiting the sun for millions of years, albeit with an unstable trajectory. A direct exploration of this asteroid could, in addition, expand knowledge about nearby celestial objects that might potentially pose a threat to Earth. This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
China's mysterious ‘quasi moon' probe, first-ever image revealed
Source: Live Science Chinese officials have unveiled the first image of their highly secretive Tianwen 2 spacecraft just two weeks after its launch. The spacecraft is on a mission to collect samples from a quasi-moon, marking a significant step in China's space exploration efforts. Interestingly, Tianwen 2 bears striking similarities to a current NASA spacecraft, raising curiosity about the design and technology choices. This early glimpse offers a rare look into China's ambitious plans and advanced space capabilities as they push forward in their quest to explore and study celestial bodies beyond Earth. First image of 'quasi moon' captured by Tianwen spacecraft on May 29 Much of the Tianwen 2 mission's development and objectives have been shrouded in secrecy. The launch, scheduled for May 29, was not livestreamed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), which announced the successful lift-off about an hour after it happened. According to LiveScience, the Tianwen 2 probe was successfully launched into space onboard a Long March 3B rocket, which took off from the Xichang spaceport in southwestern China at around 1:31 a.m. local time. In July 2026, the Tianwen 2 spacecraft will approach Kamo'oalewa , a small asteroid about the size of a Ferris wheel, and attempt to land and collect samples. Kamo'oalewa, meaning 'oscillating celestial object' in Hawaiian, is a quasi-satellite that orbits the Sun alongside Earth but isn't gravitationally tied to our planet — it will eventually drift away. On Friday, June 6, CNSA released the first picture of one of the probe's 10-sided solar panels extending out into the void of space. The release also included a statement revealing that the probe is functioning as planned and is already around 1.9 million miles (3 million kilometers) from Earth — about eight times farther away than the Moon. Know about the quasi-moon Kamo'oalewa, measuring between 40 and 100 meters wide, maintains a distance of at least 4.6 million kilometres from Earth. This satellite completes a circuit around our planet roughly every 45 years. Scientists think that Kamo'oalewa originated from the Moon, potentially ejected into space after a meteor impact millions of years ago, and now orbits the Sun in tandem with Earth. Earth has six other quasi-moons, which all orbit the Sun alongside our planet but are not permanently bound to us. These space rocks are usually referred to as 'minimoons' — a term typically reserved for objects that temporarily orbit our planet at much closer distances for shorter periods, usually less than a year. Astronomers believe there are numerous other quasi-moons and minimoons around Earth yet to be discovered. Research also suggests Venus might have similar co-orbitals, potentially posing a future threat to Earth if gravitational forces pull them our way. Also read: 100-million-year-old dinosaur eggs recovered in Jurassic America
