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Tianwen-2 probe operating normally in orbit, image of unfolding of circular solar panels released: CNSA

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jun 06, 2025 12:09 PM

As of Friday morning, the Tianwen-2 probe had been operating normally in orbit for over eight days, reaching a distance of more than 3 million kilometers from Earth, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced.

To meet the power supply requirements for exploring main belt comets located approximately 375 million kilometers from the sun, the Tianwen-2 probe was equipped with circular flexible solar panels, the CNSA said.

The CNSA also released an image captured by the probe, showing the unfolding of its circular solar panels.

China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, on May 29.

A Long March-3B carrier rocket blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1:31 am (Beijing Time). And about 18 minutes later, the Tianwen-2 probe was sent into a transfer orbit from Earth to the asteroid 2016HO3, according to the CNSA, Xinhua reported.

Shan Zhongde, head of the CNSA, said that the Tianwen-2 mission represents a significant step in China's new journey of interplanetary exploration, according to the Xinhua report.