emirates7 - China is scheduled to launch its Tianwen-2 asteroid probe and sample-return mission on May 29, according to a Monday report by the Global Times citing the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Preparations for the launch are proceeding steadily at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, located in southwest China. The Long March-3B rocket designated for the mission is set to be fueled with propellant, as confirmed by the CNSA.

Prior to this, the Tianwen-2 spacecraft completed various critical procedures, including assembly, testing, fueling, transfer, functional verification, and joint assessments. The launch vehicle has also undergone transfer, vertical hoisting, integration with the probe, fairing encapsulation, and comprehensive final tests.

In the lead-up to the launch, full-scale rehearsals involving all participating systems were carried out. Coordinated verifications and joint operations were also conducted by the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Xi’an Satellite Monitoring and Control Center, the Yuanwang tracking fleet, and several land-based tracking and control stations.