China's Latest Spacecraft Aims to Return Samples from Asteroid Near Mars

On Saturday, China launched the Tianwen-2 probe from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on Hainan Island. The mission, overseen by the China National Space Administration, aims to travel to an asteroid near Mars, collect samples from its surface, and return them to Earth for scientific analysis. This operation is part of China's broader ambitions in deep space exploration, following previous missions such as the Chang'e lunar program and the Tianwen-1 Mars mission. If successful, Tianwen-2 will contribute valuable information about the composition of asteroids and the early solar system, and will demonstrate China's growing capabilities in space technology and interplanetary missions. The mission is considered a major step in China's ongoing efforts to expand its role in international space research.