<ul><li>China launched its first mission to retrieve samples from an asteroid, targeting the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa using the Tianwen-2 mission.</li><li>The mission aims to collect about 100 g of material from the asteroid in July 2026 through methods like hovering close, using a robotic arm, or a 'touch and go' approach, storing the samples for return to Earth in November 2027.</li><li>If successful, China will become the third nation to retrieve asteroid material, following the US and Japan, with the mission involving a gravitational swing-by around Earth and targeting the main asteroid belt for further exploration.</li><li>China's upcoming missions like Tianwen-3 to retrieve samples from Mars showcase the country's ambitious space exploration program, aiming to become the first to achieve such feats.</li></ul>

China launches Tianwen-2 asteroid sample-return mission

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