China’s Tianwen-2 Approaches Earth’s Quasi-Moon for Possible Asteroid Sample
TL;DR
China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft is within about 12.5 miles of Kamo'oalewa, one of Earth's quasi-moons, to capture the first clear photo and potentially collect surface samples over a year-long co-orbital mission using anchor-and-attach or touch-and-go methods; success would make China the third nation to sample an asteroid, though the tiny, rapidly rotating target poses significant challenges.
- Chinese Spacecraft Approaches Mysterious Object Near Earth Futurism
- China releases 1st photo of Earth's elusive 'quasi-moon' Kamo'oalewa Space
- Tianwen-2 arrives at asteroid Kamo’oalewa, first image revealed SpaceNews
- China’s Tianwen-2 Space Probe Has Rendezvoused With Earth’s Quasi-Moon WIRED
- In Deep Space, China Meets Earth’s ‘Amazing’ Quasi-Moon The New York Times
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