China has launched a space probe that will travel to an asteroid near Mars to collect samples and find potential “groundbreaking” results.
According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Tianwen-2 investigation was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sachuan province of South-West China on Thursday, which was riding on the Workcares Long March 3-B rocket on 3 March on March 3.
The target of Tianvan -2 will be different from its predecessor, Tianvan -1, which was launched a year ago and landed on Mars.
Tianwen-2 asteroid 2016 will be the target for H3, which is also known as 469219 kamoʻoalewa, to bring back samples.
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China’s Tianvan -1 investigation landed on Mars, but Tianvan -2 will have a target of asteroid 2016. (Reuters/NASA/Handout)
The proposed 10-year plan will include more than this space mission as China continues to expand into space.
Tianvan -1 chief designer Zhang Rongakiao told China Central Television that he is planning to implement the “Tianvan -3” Mars Sampling Return Mission in 2028, while “Tianvan -4” will move towards Jupiter.
According to the Associated Press, asteroids, selected to their relatively stable classes, would offer clues about the formation of the Earth, such as the origin of water.
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China launched the rocket with TianvenWan -2 investigation. (CNS via AP)
A new investigation, similar to the Chang 6 mission, will bring samples of the house from an asteroid close to Mars. (CNSA via Xinhua and AP)
Samples of 2016HO3 are scheduled to be returned in about two years.
Even if CNSA is going to distribute these samples to international partners, as they are on previous missions, NASA will not be able to receive any sample.
A law was passed in 2011, known as Wolf Amendment, prevents NASA from having any cooperation with CNSA.
China also operates three-person Tiangong, or “Late Palace,” space station.
China also operates three-person Tiangong, or “Late Palace,” space station. Its permanent station was set up after being excluded from the international space station on US national security concerns. (Roskosmos State Space Corporation through AP, File)
This gives China a step in the right direction to become a major force in search of space.
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Its permanent station was set up after being excluded from the international space station on US national security concerns.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
Nick Butler is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Do you have any tips? Reach nick.butler@fox.com.
