CNSA Reports Progress of Tianwen-2 Probe in Interplanetary Exploration

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Friday morning that the Tianwen-2 probe has been functioning normally in orbit for more than eight days, having traveled over 3 million kilometers away from Earth. This probe is equipped with circular flexible solar panels designed to meet the energy demands for its exploration of main belt comets, located around 375 million kilometers from the sun. An image has been released by the CNSA, showcasing the unfolding of these solar panels.

The Tianwen-2 mission, which marks China's initial attempt at an asteroid sample-return project, was launched on May 29. The mission embarked from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, with a Long March-3B carrier rocket lifting off at 1:31 am local time. Approximately 18 minutes later, the probe was positioned into a transfer orbit aimed at the asteroid known as 2016HO3. Shan Zhongde, the head of CNSA, highlighted that this mission is a crucial advancement in China's efforts toward interplanetary exploration.