The Chinese mission called Thien Van 2 will launch a probe to the asteroid 2016 HO3 to collect samples and return them to Earth.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) revealed the plan in a March 2 statement, saying the mission had been approved by the government and that scientists would hold an academic conference in April. The main conference topics will include basic plans and scientific objectives. , mission payload, Thien Van 2 operational model, as well as updates on asteroid research.
According to Ye Peijian, a leading spacecraft researcher at the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, the basic idea of the mission is to use large thrusters to send a probe consisting of two parts – the orbiter and the ‘orbiter. – around 2016 HO3.
Simulation of asteroid 2016 HO3.
Simulation of asteroid 2016 HO3. (Photo: NASA)
After approaching the asteroid, the probe will orbit the celestial body, then fly very close to it and use a mechanical arm to vacuum the surface. The ship carrying the sample will return to Earth orbit and release the atmospheric reentry module, allowing it to land on the Earth’s surface with the asteroid dust sample.
After releasing the module, the orbiter will move towards a comet in the main asteroid belt named 311P to continue its scientific discovery missions, Peijian said.
Scientists have now identified around a million asteroids in the solar system, with more than 20,000 moving close to Earth. 2016 HO3also called 469219 Kamo’olawewawas first discovered in April 2016 by an asteroid telescope at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii.
2016 HO3 is considered a quasi-satellite of Earth due to its special orbit. (Video: NASA)
2016 HO3 moves into orbit around the Sun, making it “companion” permanently with the Earth. NASA experts say the object is too far away to be considered a true satellite, but it is the best and most stable example of a quasi-satellite to date.
Tianwen 2 is China’s second interplanetary mission, following the launch of Tianwen 1 to Mars on July 23, 2020, comprising an orbiter, a lander and an autonomous robot. Since landing on the surface of the Red Planet in May 2021, the Chuc Dung robot has traveled nearly 2,000 m and collected a lot of raw data to date.
Article source: VnExpress
If there is an error in the article China reveals new asteroid sampling plan, or if the content is inaccurate, please contact us so we can correct it.
Keyword:
The Chinese mission called Thien Van 2 will launch a probe to the asteroid 2016 HO3 to collect samples and return them to Earth.
