PADLaunch Complex 2 (LC-2)
SITEXichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China →ORBITAsteroid
TYPEPlanetary Science
MISSION OVERVIEW
Tianwen-2 is a planned Chinese asteroid sample return and comet orbiter mission due for launch in May 2025. The spacecraft will visit the Near Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3), collecting samples from its surface using both touch-and-go and anchor-and-drill approaches. It will return the samples back to Earth around 2.5 years after launch, with the main spacecraft proceeding to visit the main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS in the mid-2030s.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Long March 3B/EMISSION
Tianwen-2
MISSION TYPE
Planetary Science
TARGET ORBIT
Asteroid
LAUNCH PAD
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2)COUNTRY
CHN
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMED
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 66be38aa-d9d9-4b71-8522-45e06677b2e0
Reported date: May 28, 2025 at 17:31 UTC
Last synced: 13 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Long March 3B/E →
MANUFACTURER
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
VARIANT
B/E
FLIGHTS
76
SUCCESSES
74
SUCCESS RATE
97.4%
The Long March 3B / E (G2) (CZ-3B / E) is one of the most successful medium-range launchers and the strongest variant of the CZ-3 series. It was specially developed for the transport of heavy communications satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. The additional designation "E" stands for a higher payload fairing, stretched boosters and extended fuel tanks at the first stage, over the CZ-3B.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Long March 3B/E | Tianwen-2 launch?
The Long March 3B/E | Tianwen-2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Tianwen-2?
The Long March 3B/E | Tianwen-2 mission uses the Long March 3B/E rocket, manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The Long March 3B/E has flown 76 times with a 97.4% success rate.
Where is the Long March 3B/E | Tianwen-2 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China.
What orbit is Tianwen-2 going to?
The Tianwen-2 mission is targeting Asteroid.
Who is launching Tianwen-2?
The Long March 3B/E | Tianwen-2 is operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Can I watch the Long March 3B/E | Tianwen-2 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 25, 2026 00:39 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 25, 2026 00:39 UTC
Launch date set: May 28, 2025 at 17:31 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Mar 25, 2026 00:39 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Feb 26, 2026 11:08 UTC
China’s Tianwen-2 probe operating normally on approach to asteroidChina’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft is operating normally on its way to a near-Earth asteroid ahead of sampling later this year, according to a rare official update.…
SpaceNews
May 29, 2025 01:20 UTC
China Launches Tianwen-2 Asteroid Sample-Return MissionChina launched the robotic Tianwen-2 spacecraft today to return samples from a Near Earth Asteroid that is in an orbit around the Sun similar to…
SpacePolicyOnline.com
May 28, 2025 18:49 UTC
China launches Tianwen-2 mission to sample near Earth asteroidChina launched its second planetary exploration mission Wednesday, sending Tianwen-2 to sample a near Earth asteroid and later survey a main belt comet. The post…
SpaceNews
May 28, 2025 14:52 UTC
China to launch the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return missionThe Chinese space program is preparing to join the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and… The post China to launch the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return…
NASASpaceflight
May 23, 2025 20:54 UTC
Chinese launch cadence accelerates, Tianwen-2 prepares for launchThis month has seen the launches of three different commercial Chinese rockets, and the return-to-flight… The post Chinese launch cadence accelerates, Tianwen-2 prepares for launch…
NASASpaceflight
May 19, 2025 12:00 UTC
China to launch Tianwen-2 asteroid sampling mission on May 28HELSINKI — China is set to launch its second Tianwen deep space exploration mission late May, targeting both a near Earth asteroid and a main…
SpaceNews
Feb 21, 2025 12:09 UTC
China Readies Tianwen-2 for Historic Asteroid Sample Return and Comet StudyChina Readies Tianwen-2 for Historic Asteroid Sample Return and Comet Study
The Launch Pad
Feb 20, 2025 14:53 UTC
China readies Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return spacecraft for launchHELSINKI — The spacecraft for China’s Tianwen-2 combined near-Earth asteroid sample return and comet rendezvous mission has arrived at Xichang spaceport for launch preparations. The…
SpaceNews
Sep 25, 2024 11:20 UTC
China to launch near-Earth asteroid sample return mission in 2025HELSINKI — China will launch the Tianwen-2 mission to sample a near-Earth asteroid next year, an official with the country’s space agency said Tuesday. Tianwen-2…
SpaceNews
Jan 19, 2023 15:22 UTC
Tianwen-2: China’s Near-Earth asteroid and comet double-headerChina is gearing up for an ambitious combined mission to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid, deliver the material to Earth, and then head off…
Planetary Society
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 13 hours ago
●Launch Library 213 hours ago
Launch ID: 66be38aa-d9d9-4b71-8522-45e06677b2e0
●Spaceflight News API13 hours ago
10 articles matched
●Open-Meteo Weather13 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.25, 102.03
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