Chinese probe traveled one billion kilometers and reached an asteroid
The Chinese space probe "Tianwen-2" has successfully reached the asteroid 2016 HO3, having traveled about 1 billion kilometers after more than 400 days in flight.
The spacecraft has approached the celestial body to a distance of about 20 kilometers and has already transmitted the first images of the asteroid. In the near future, it will conduct a detailed remote survey of its surface and structure, after which it will begin collecting soil samples.
Upon completion of the mission, a special capsule will deliver the collected material to Earth. This is China’s first mission to collect samples from an asteroid, which is intended to help scientists better understand the formation of the Solar System.
Source: China National Space Administration (CNSA).
As a reminder, NASA is testing the new X-59 flying vehicle, which promises silent supersonic flight.
NASA is also threatening to remove SpaceX from the Artemis lunar mission.
