Tianwen-2

Tianwen-2
天问二号
Mission typeAsteroid sample return
Comet orbiter/lander
OperatorCNSA
Mission duration10 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerCAST
Launch mass≈2,100 kg (4,600 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date28 May 2025, 17:31 UTC
RocketLong March 3B
Launch siteXichang LC-2
ContractorCASC
469219 Kamoʻoalewa orbiter
Orbital insertion7 June 2026
Orbital departure24 April 2027
Sample mass≥100 g (0.2 lb)
311P/PANSTARRS orbiter
Orbital insertion24 January 2035

Tianwen-2 (Chinese: 天问二号) is a Chinese asteroid sample return and comet exploration mission that launched on 28 May 2025. China National Space Agency (CNSA) plans for the probe to return samples from asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa in 2027. After the mothership drops off the sample return vessel to Earth, it is planned that it will then rendezvous with main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS and explore it with its 11 onboard instruments.