**Tianwen 2: China's Ambitious Mission to Unravel Solar System Mysteries**

In an exciting development, the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) has released the first actual image of the Tianwen 2 spacecraft. Captured by an engineering camera aboard the probe, the photo prominently features one of the spacecraft's two circular solar panels, which bear a resemblance to those found on NASA's Lucy mission targeting the Trojan asteroids near Jupiter. Until now, the public has only seen artistic representations of Tianwen 2, as its launch was not broadcast live.

Tianwen 2 is currently en route to the near-Earth asteroid Kamo'oalewa, with an anticipated arrival date of July 2026. The mission will involve a series of precise engine burns to fine-tune the spacecraft's trajectory. Once in orbit, Tianwen 2 will spend several months closely studying and analyzing the asteroid, which scientists believe may be a fragment of the moon dislodged by a massive impact event. The spacecraft is equipped to collect samples from Kamo'oalewa that will later be sent back to Earth.

After successfully delivering these samples to Earth in a reentry capsule by the end of 2027, Tianwen 2's journey will be far from over. The spacecraft will leverage Earth's gravitational forces in a slingshot maneuver, setting it on a path to rendezvous with the main belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS around the year 2035. This extended mission presents a unique opportunity to study both an asteroid and a comet, providing invaluable data on the composition and nature of these celestial bodies.

Through the examination of Kamo'oalewa and comet 311P/PANSTARRS, the Tianwen 2 mission aims to address some of the most profound questions in planetary science, such as the formation and evolution of the solar system and the origin of water on Earth. The insights gained from this mission promise to deepen our understanding of the dynamic and complex processes that have shaped our cosmic neighborhood.