A Chinese probe took a selfie with Earth while traveling to an asteroid. The picture shows our planet and the flag of China fixed on board the device. Currently, “Tianwen-2” is approximately 43 million km from Earth, reports Space.com.
According to Chinese scientists, “Tianwen-2” currently “functioning normally” and collects data according to the plan. The device has already passed a series of orbital tests, including checking the operation of samplers and electronic systems. These tests are key stages of preparation for the mission to study the asteroid (469219) Kamoalev, one of the seven known “quasi-mons” Earth.
According to the plan, the probe should engage the engines and arrive at the asteroid in July 2026. Over the course of several months, it will explore a space body that, according to scientists, may be a fragment of the Moon, thrown into space as a result of an ancient powerful collision.
After collecting samples “Tianwen-2” should return them to Earth in late 2027 via a launch vehicle. The main vehicle, meanwhile, will make a flyby of Earth to enter orbit for a new expedition. Its second target will be the main belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS, which it will reach around 2035.
This is not China’s first experience in collecting samples from space. During the mission “Chan’e-5” In 2020, the country delivered soil samples to Earth from the near side of the Moon, and in 2024 – for the first time from its far side.
