Core Viewpoint - The Tianwen-2 mission represents China's first attempt to conduct asteroid sample return and flyby exploration of a main belt comet, with a planned launch by the end of May 2023 [1][3]. Group 1: Mission Objectives - The Tianwen-2 mission aims to explore asteroid 2016HO3, which is the first known quasi-satellite of Earth, with a diameter of approximately 40-100 meters and a rotation period of about 28 minutes [3][5]. - The mission will also investigate main belt comet 311P, which has an average diameter of about 480 meters and an orbital period of approximately 3.24 years [6][8]. - The mission's scientific goals include determining the physical parameters of both celestial bodies, such as orbital and rotational characteristics, surface composition, and internal structure [10][11]. Group 2: Scientific Significance - Asteroid 2016HO3 is considered a "living fossil" that retains primordial information about the early solar system, making it valuable for studying the composition and evolution of solar system materials [5][10]. - The analysis of samples returned from 2016HO3 will provide insights into the origins and evolution of asteroids, as well as the early solar system's formation processes [11][13]. - The exploration of 311P aims to address scientific questions regarding the nature of main belt comets and their formation, potentially reshaping current understanding of these celestial bodies [11][12]. Group 3: Future Plans - The Tianwen-2 mission is part of a broader Chinese planetary exploration program that includes future missions to Mars and the Jupiter system, with plans for Tianwen-3 and Tianwen-4 to achieve Mars sample return and Jupiter exploration, respectively [12][14]. - The mission is expected to enhance China's position in international space exploration activities, particularly in the field of asteroid defense and resource utilization [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant achievements and future plans of China's lunar exploration program, particularly in the context of the 20th anniversary of the lunar exploration initiative and the ongoing exhibition showcasing its milestones [1][24]. Group 1: Lunar Exploration Milestones - The Chang'e program began in 2004 with a three-step strategy: orbiting, landing, and returning [6]. - Chang'e 1, launched on October 24, 2007, marked China's first lunar satellite, making China the fifth country to launch a lunar probe [4]. - Chang'e 3 successfully landed on the moon on December 14, 2013, carrying the Yutu rover, which set a record for the longest operational time on the lunar surface [8]. - Chang'e 4 achieved the first soft landing on the far side of the moon on January 3, 2019, a historic milestone in lunar exploration [8][11]. Group 2: Technological Innovations and Challenges - The Chang'e 5 mission, launched on November 24, 2020, successfully returned 1,731 grams of lunar samples to Earth on December 17, 2020, marking China's first retrieval of extraterrestrial materials [13]. - The mission involved a complex design with four spacecraft components, showcasing advancements in technology and engineering [13]. - The lunar samples collected have led to over 100 scientific papers, including the discovery of a new mineral named "Chang'e Stone" [19][21]. Group 3: Future Plans and International Collaboration - Future missions include Chang'e 7, aimed at exploring the lunar south pole for water, and Chang'e 8, which will focus on establishing communication and energy systems on the moon [22]. - The program emphasizes international collaboration, inviting other countries and research institutions to participate in lunar exploration efforts [22]. - The overarching goal is to advance lunar exploration and support the construction of a lunar space station over the next 10 to 20 years [22].

火星取样返回 我国计划2028年前后发射天问三号 智通财经4月24日电，今天在第十个中国航天日的主场启动仪式上，中国国家航天局发布了《嫦娥五号 任务月球样品国际借用申请结果》《嫦娥八号任务合作项目遴选结果》《天问三号火星取样返回任务国 际合作机遇公告》，我国在深空探测领域将加强国际合作。据介绍，天问三号探测器由着陆器、上升 器、服务器组合体和轨道器、返回器组合体组成，共配置6台科学载荷。其中，轨道器环火轨道为约350 公里圆轨道，姿态对日定向；服务器环火轨道为近火点约400公里环火大椭圆轨道，留轨探测约2个火星 年。按计划，天问三号任务将于2028年前后发射实施。 ...