Launched on May 28, 2025, China's Tianwen 2 spacecraft is on a mission to explore the near-Earth asteroid Kamo'oalewa.

As of June 6, 2025, the spacecraft is over 3 million kilometers from Earth and is operating well, according to the China National Space Administration.

Tianwen 2 is expected to reach Kamo'oalewa by July 2026, where it will orbit the asteroid for several months to gather data.

Kamo'oalewa is classified as one of Earth's seven known 'quasi moons' and is believed to be a fragment of the Moon, making it a subject of significant scientific interest.

The spacecraft has already sent back its first image, which shows one of its solar panels, similar to those on NASA's Lucy mission.

Equipped with various instruments, Tianwen 2 will analyze the asteroid's composition, shape, and characteristics.

The mission aims to provide insights into the solar system's evolution and the origins of water on Earth.

This mission marks China's second planetary exploration effort, following the successful Tianwen 1 mission to Mars in 2020.

Tianwen 2 is part of a series of successful missions by China's space program, highlighting its growing capabilities in deep space exploration.

After the sample-return mission, Tianwen 2 will use Earth's gravity to slingshot toward the comet 311P/PANSTARRS, with an arrival expected around 2035.

The data gathered from Tianwen 2 will contribute to global scientific understanding and reinforce China's position as a leading player in space exploration.

The extended mission aims to study a comet, which may reveal valuable information about the origins of water and organic molecules on Earth.