China Reveals First Images of โQuasi-Moonโ Probe
Tianwen 2 Mission Targets Asteroid Orbiting Alongside Earth
Chinaโs space agency has released the initial photograph of its secretive Tianwen 2
spacecraft, currently en route to study a unique asteroid that shares Earthโs orbit. The mission marks a significant advancement in Chinaโs ambitious space exploration program.
Mission Details Unveiled
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the Tianwen 2
probe on May 29th aboard a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang spaceport. The launch wasnโt broadcast live, with the CNSA announcing its success approximately one hour after liftoff. As of June 6th, the spacecraft is roughly 1.9 million miles (3 million kilometers) from Earthโeight times the distance to the Moonโand operating as intended.
Target: Kamoสปoalewa
In July 2026, Tianwen 2
will approach Kamoสปoalewa, a small asteroid approximately the size of a Ferris wheel. This celestial body is a quasi-satellite
โit orbits the Sun alongside Earth but isnโt gravitationally bound to our planet, and will eventually drift away. Scientists estimate Kamoสปoalewa is between 40 and 100 meters in width and maintains a distance of at least 4.6 million kilometers from Earth.
The discovery of Kamoสปoalewa and other quasi-moons highlights the growing field of near-Earth object (NEO) research. According to NASAโs Center for Near Earth Object Studies, over 31,000 near-Earth asteroids have been discovered as of June 7, 2024, with more being identified regularly. NASAโs CNEOS tracks these objects to assess any potential impact risks to Earth.
Origin and Significance
Researchers believe Kamoสปoalewa may have originated from the Moon, potentially ejected into space by a meteor impact millions of years ago. Earth currently has six other known quasi-moons, often referred to as โminimoons,โ which temporarily orbit our planet for shorter periods. Astronomers suspect many more such objects remain undiscovered, and similar co-orbitals may exist around Venus, potentially posing future gravitational challenges.
The Tianwen 2
mission aims to land on Kamoสปoalewa and collect samples, providing valuable insights into its composition and origin. The probeโs design bears similarities to a current NASA spacecraft, sparking interest in the technological approaches being utilized by both space agencies.
This mission represents a bold step forward in Chinaโs space ambitions, demonstrating its growing capabilities in deep-space exploration and sample return missions.