China’s Tianwen-2 arrives at asteroid Kamoʻoalewa

China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft has successfully arrived at a small, near-Earth asteroid to begin a landmark mission to collect and return samples to Earth. The China National Space Administration announced the arrival on July 6, 2026, after the probe traveled approximately one billion kilometers over a journey lasting about 400 days.

The spacecraft launched on May 29, 2025, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It has now reached a position about 20 kilometers from the asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, also designated 2016 HO3. The space agency released a close-up photograph showing the asteroid as an elongated, rugged gray rocky mass against the darkness of space.

Tianwen-2's arrival marks the start of an extensive close-proximity science campaign. According to the CNSA, the probe will now conduct detailed scientific exploration to gather data on the asteroid's morphology, material composition, and internal structure. This information will support preparations for later sample collection operations. The spacecraft is equipped with multiple sampling techniques, including hovering, touch-and-go, and anchoring methods, to ensure redundancy.

The target, Kamoʻoalewa, is a...