Tianwen-2 probe to explore two target asteroids of high scientific research value: scientist

The Tianwen-2 probe is preparing to explore two target asteroids, near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and main-belt comet 311P, which are of high scientific research value and accessibility, according to Chinese scientists.

China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, on May 29, an endeavor to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

The mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from 2016HO3 and exploring 311P, which is farther from Earth than Mars.

Known as a quasi-satellite of Earth, asteroid 2016HO3 orbits the Sun and appears to circle around Earth as well, remaining a constant companion to our planet.

Dubbed as "cosmic fossils," asteroids preserve critical information about the solar system's infancy, scientists say.

"[This asteroid] is very likely to hold the original information of the solar system at its birth, which is of great scientific research value for our understanding of the material composition of the early solar system, including its formation process and evolutionary history," said Han Siyuan, deputy director of the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center.

The asteroid 2016HO3 also has a relatively stable orbit, requiring lower energy consumption for spacecraft to reach it, while enabling a viable scenario for subsequent exploration of the main-belt comet 311P, according to Han.

The second target, 311P, a celestial anomaly discovered in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, occasionally spews out materials and resembles a comet with tails.

Its discovery challenges astronomers' conventional understanding about a comet, as the region is too close to the Sun for a comet to retain its volatile materials like water ice.

As scientists are still uncertain whether main-belt comets originated in the asteroid belt or from the edge of the solar system, these special small celestial bodies hold significant scientific research value.

The entire mission process for Tianwen-2 is complex. After launch, it will journey for about one year to reach its first target, during which it will perform deep-space maneuvers and mid-course corrections until it is about 30,000 km away from 2016HO3.

The probe will gradually approach the target, carrying out close exploration by circling and hovering over the asteroid to determine the sampling area, with a strategy of flying and probing simultaneously.

After completing the sampling, the spacecraft will fly back to the vicinity of Earth. A return capsule will separate from the main probe and is expected to deliver the samples to Earth by the end of 2027.

The main probe will then continue its voyage to rendezvous with the more distant target, the main-belt comet 311P, to carry out subsequent exploration tasks.

Asteroid 2016HO3 is located between 18 million km and 46 million km from Earth, while the main-belt comet 311P lies approximately 150 million km to 500 million km away.

Tianwen-2 probe to explore two target asteroids of high scientific research value: scientist

The sixth China-Russia Media Forum, which was held in Beijing on Tuesday, discussed promoting friendship between and supporting development of the two countries through media cooperation.

Li Shulei, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech.

Attendees said that under the strategic guidance of heads of the two countries, China-Russia relations have maintained stable, healthy and high-level development, creating a model for a new type of international relations and relations between neighboring major countries.

In May this year, the heads of state of the two countries signed and issued a joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, explicitly proposing deepened cooperation in the media sector between the two countries.

The media sectors of China and Russia should fully implement the important consensus reached between the heads of state, adhere consistently to the general direction of the China-Russia friendship, and foster a positive public opinion atmosphere for the common development of China and Russia, attendees said.

They also said that the media of the two countries should focus on major issues such as the alignment of China's 15th Five-Year Plan with Russia's economic and social development strategies, and report in depth on achievements of mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

They noted that the media should build bridges of people-to-people connectivity, promote exchange and mutual learning between the Chinese and Russian civilizations, join hands to address the challenges of digital and intelligent transformation, and work together to enhance the influence of the media.

The forum was hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Russian Presidential Executive Office, and organized by China's Xinhua News Agency and Russia's TASS News Agency.

Approximately 140 officials and media representatives from both countries attended the forum. During the event, the two sides signed 11 documents on deepening media cooperation between China and Russia.

6th China-Russia Media Forum eyes supporting development of both countries