Author Topic: Tianwen-2 (asteroid sample return) - CZ-3B - Xichang - May 28, 2025 (17:31 UTC) (Read 34293 times)

mikezang · « **Reply #20 on:** 05/12/2025 12:04 pm »

Quote from: JulesVerneATV on 05/12/2025 11:41 am

Tianwen-2 asteroid probe will be launched into space by the Long March 3B Y111 rocket

https://x.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1921134509916860642

But that show Y110 in weibo link in https://x.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1921134509916860642...

mikezang · « **Reply #21 on:** 05/12/2025 11:26 pm »

The NOTAM for CZ-3B from Xichang, launched about on May 28 17:00 UTC.

PM3 · « **Reply #22 on:** 05/13/2025 07:05 am »

Quote from: mikezang on 05/12/2025 11:26 pm

The NOTAM for CZ-3B from Xichang, launched about on May 29 01:00 UTC.

The NOTAM says May 28-30, 16:00-20:00 daily.

TheKutKu · « **Reply #23 on:** 05/18/2025 11:31 am »

https://weibo.com/5386897742/PsoC50Hfs
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/f8ojaDIp7LsRK8hPfpfLwg

CASC on Weibo:

Quote

On May 18, the planetary exploration project Tianwen-2 probe successfully transferred to the launch area after completing the technical area assembly, testing, and refueling work at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center as planned. In the future, various functional inspections and joint tests will be carried out as planned, and the launch is planned to be carried out at the end of May. Prior to this, the Long March 3B Yao-110 carrier rocket that will carry out the Tianwen-2 launch mission was successfully transferred from the technical area to the launch area on May 14, and completed the lifting and integration work.

The Tianwen-2 probe and the Long March 3B rocket were developed by the Fifth Academy and the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology. (Zhang Wei, Li Yi, Shi Yichen)

mikezang · « **Reply #24 on:** 05/22/2025 05:56 am »

The China NOTAM issued, T0 might be May 28, 2025 (~17:31 UTC)

topfire · « **Reply #25 on:** 05/26/2025 07:42 am »

A1408/25 NOTAMN
Q) ZGZU/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/2653N11024E013
A) ZGZU B) 2505281722 C) 2505281744
E) A TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED BOUNDED BY:
N265600E1103800-N270100E1101300-N264900E1101100-N264500E1103500,
BACK TO START.VERTICAL LIMITS:SFC-UNL.
F) SFC G) UNL
excuse me,why is there this NOTAM?

TheKutKu · « **Reply #26 on:** 05/26/2025 12:42 pm »

https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10676320/content.html

Quote

The Tianwen-2 mission is scheduled to be launched on May 29

After comprehensive analysis and decision-making by the engineering mission command, the planetary exploration project Tianwen-2 mission is scheduled to be launched on May 29.

At present, at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, various preparations for the mission are progressing steadily. The Long March 3B Yao-110 carrier rocket that will carry out this launch is about to be filled with propellant.

Previously, the Tianwen-2 probe completed the technical area assembly, testing, filling, transfer, functional inspection, joint testing and other tasks as planned. The carrier rocket completed the transfer, hoisting, vehicle-rocket docking, fairing assembly, general inspection and testing and other tasks. The launch site completed the pre-launch system rehearsal, and the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Beijing Flight Control Center, Xi'an Satellite Tracking and Control Center, Yuanwang measurement fleet and various mission tracking and control stations implemented joint debugging and control.

Tianwen logo and "Asteroid" on the fairing

mikezang · « **Reply #27 on:** 05/26/2025 12:45 pm »

Does anyone modify launch time on title?

mikezang · « **Reply #28 on:** 05/26/2025 01:36 pm »

Quote from: mikezang on 05/26/2025 12:45 pm

Does anyone modify launch time on title?

The T0 is May 28, 2025 (~17:31 UTC)

Satori · « **Reply #29 on:** 05/27/2025 03:54 pm »

Xinhua China to launch Tianwen-2 probe for asteroid sampling on May 29. [May 26]

China's Tianwen-2 probe is scheduled for launch on May 29, aiming to unravel the mysteries of a near-Earth asteroid and a main-belt comet, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Monday.

starbase · « **Reply #30 on:** 05/28/2025 12:56 pm »

YouTube mirror of potential unofficial webcasts:

Vultur · « **Reply #31 on:** 05/28/2025 02:43 pm »

How did this mission go from 'officially approved' in 2023 to launch this year? Is this an incredibly fast development/build pace, or does 'approval' happen at a different step for CNSA vs NASA?

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #32 on:** 05/28/2025 04:16 pm »

Pre-launch photos from SpaceLens: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5171408694935739

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #33 on:** 05/28/2025 04:48 pm »

Launch pad platforms retracting: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5171438206060630

TheKutKu · « **Reply #34 on:** 05/28/2025 04:48 pm »

Quote from: Vultur on 05/28/2025 02:43 pm

How did this mission go from 'officially approved' in 2023 to launch this year? Is this an incredibly fast development/build pace, or does 'approval' happen at a different step for CNSA vs NASA?

Yes, formal approval generally happens at a late stage in chinese aerospace, it depends on programs but it can be as late as the approval for construction of the flight model once every prototype and Design Reviews have been done.

The 2018 CNSA Roadmap describing an asteroid mission in 2024 is probably a more accurate indication of when this mission got sufficient approval/internal approval within CNSA, and it was reported in state medias before http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-03/04/content_28430297.htm

Furthermore CNSA called for international participation in 2019 https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465645/n6465648/c6806206/part/6781076.pdf considering that they are usually very careful with these international calls, this is probably a decent estimate for when the technologies of the mission reached a sufficient maturity that gave them confidence that they could do it.