China to launch Tianwen-2 asteroid probe and sampling mission on May 29: CNSA

China is set to launch its Tianwen-2 asteroid probe and sampling mission on May 29, according to information obtained by Global Times from the China National Space Administration on Monday. 

Preparations for the missions are underway smoothly at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. The Long March-3B rocket commissioned for the mission will be injected with propellant, according to the CNSA.

Previously, the Tianwen-2 probe successfully completed a series of planned procedures, including general assembly, testing, fueling, transfer, functional checks, and joint testing. The launch vehicle underwent transfer, hoisting, probe-rocket docking, payload fairing encapsulation, and final comprehensive tests. The launch site carried out integrated rehearsals among systems prior to launch, while the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Xi’an Satellite Monitoring and Control Center, the Yuanwang tracking ships, and various ground-based tracking and control stations conducted coordinated system checks and joint control operations.