LAUNCH CENTER

TBD

Sat May 31 2025

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Tianwen-2

DAYS

HRS

HOURS

MIN

MINUTES

SEC

SECONDS

LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

(12:00 AM UTC)

Launch Window Start

(12:00 AM UTC)

Launch Window End

(12:00 AM UTC)

RECOVERY OVERVIEW

Location

No Recovery Specified

Type

No Recovery Specified

Rocket Details

Name:

Long March 3B/E

Description:

The Long March 3B / E (G2) (CZ-3B / E) is one of the most successful medium-range launchers and the strongest variant of the CZ-3 series. It was specially developed for the transport of heavy communications satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. The additional designation "E" stands for a higher payload fairing, stretched boosters and extended fuel tanks at the first stage, over the CZ-3B.

MISSION OVERVIEW

Type: Planetary Science
Tianwen-2 is a planned Chinese asteroid sample return and comet orbiter mission due for launch in May 2025. The spacecraft will visit the Near Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3), collecting samples from its surface using both touch-and-go and anchor-and-drill approaches. It will return the samples back to Earth around 2.5 years after launch, with the main spacecraft proceeding to visit the main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS in the mid-2030s.

COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Pad

Unknown Pad