Why in the News?
China is set to launch its first asteroid sampling mission, called Tianwen-2, to study and collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo‘oalewa.
If successful, China will join a small group of countries — including the United States and Japan — that have returned asteroid samples to Earth.
What is the Kamo‘oalewa Asteroid?
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About the Tianwen-2 Mission:
- Mission Type: Tianwen-2 is China’s first asteroid sample return mission.
- Target: It will explore 469219 Kamo‘oalewa, a near-Earth quasi-satellite asteroid.
- Asteroid Origin: Kamo ‘oalewa may contain lunar fragments ejected during a past collision.
- Sample Collection:
- Touch-and-Go Technique: Uses a projectile or gas to loosen and collect surface material.
- Anchor-and-Attach Technique: Uses robotic arms to anchor and drill for deeper samples.
- Post-Sample Phase: After sample return, the probe will travel to the main asteroid belt for further exploration.
- Key Technologies: Equipped with high-resolution cameras, intelligent onboard systems, and precise control to operate in low-gravity conditions.
Tianwen-1 Mission:
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| [UPSC 2014] Consider the following pairs:
Spacecraft Purpose 1. Cassini-Huygens : Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth. 2. Messenger : Mapping and investigating. 3. Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system. Select the correct answer using the code given below. Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only |
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