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China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationLaunch SuccessfulPlanetary ScienceLong March 3B/E
Launched 2025-05-28 17:31 UTCLaunch Complex 2 (LC-2), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Success
Reached Asteroid
Worldwide
118th
orbital launch attempt in 2025
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
24th
launch this year
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2)
5th
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
31 d 1 h
since the pad's previous launch
Tianwen-2 is a planned Chinese asteroid sample return and comet orbiter mission due for launch in May 2025. The spacecraft will visit the Near Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3), collecting samples from its surface using both touch-and-go and anchor-and-drill approaches. It will return the samples back to Earth around 2.5 years after launch, with the main spacecraft proceeding to visit the main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS in the mid-2030s.
Launch Provider
Government · China · Founded 1999 · Chairman & President Lei Fanpei
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
Launches
621
Successful
605
97%
Landings
1
of 2
Upcoming
7
scheduled
·
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
·
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
·
Added launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
·
NET May 28 UTC. (Launch pad is per https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/f8ojaDIp7LsRK8hPfpfLwg)
Cosmic_Penguin
·
Added launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Height
56.3m
Diameter
3.4m
To low Earth orbit
12,000kg
Liftoff thrust
5,924kN
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