Michael Busch

via @AndrewJonesSpace :

The CNSA #Tianwen3 asteroid sample return mission is still on schedule to launch in 2025 to attempt to collect samples from near-Earth asteroid Kamoʻoalewa; which spins fast and might be lunar ejecta - https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/EzxJUnr-H-6HMOfxBLkfEQ .

There is no information in this release about the proposed CNSA asteroid deflection demonstration.

Has anyone found any public reporting about that in the last several months?

Jul 15, 2024 at 3:00pmWeb
Show threadMichael BuschJul 16, 2024

From Li Mingtao speaking at @COSPAR :

"2027 [is] the new launch date for the mission that will send one spacecraft to collide with a small asteroid and another to observe the impact."

"The target for the mission will be the asteroid 2015 XF261, a body estimated to be about 30 meters across."

"In April 2029, the impactor will collide with the asteroid at a speed of 10 kilometers per second."

Thank you, @jfoust .

https://spacenews.com/china-reschedules-planetary-defense-mission-for-2027-launch/

China reschedules planetary defense mission for 2027 launch

China has changed the launch date and target for a mission that will attempt to demonstrate the ability to deflect the orbit of an asteroid.

SpaceNews
Show threadMichael BuschJul 16, 2024

For those keeping track:

In 2029 April; #2015XF261 will make a flyby of Earth at a distance of 0.0446 au and going from solar elongation 159º to 12º, with pre-impact apparent magnitude 20.5 to 23.5.

Li Mingtao's statement suggests a planned impact during 2029 April 8 - 14; with elongation 121º-78º and pre-impact magnitude 21-22.

Nicely observable from Earth; at least for optical and infrared telescopes.

But that is already one of the busiest weeks for asteroid scientists in the next decade.

Show threadMichael BuschJul 16, 2024

Since I have now learned more about the planned CNSA asteroid deflection mission:

Is anyone aware of public reporting on the current status of the "China Compound Eye" phased array planetary radar that was announced last year?

It is supposed to be being built in Yunyang County in north-east Chongqing; with a planned collection of twenty-five 30 meter antennas: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/16/WS63edc793a31057c47ebaf2d1.html

But I am impeded in searching for other news reports by my inability to read much Chinese.

Phase II of 'China Compound Eye' project commences

The second phase of China's deep-space observation radar network project, dubbed "China Compound Eye", began construction in Yunyang county, Chongqing on Tuesday.

Show threadsimonbpJul 16, 2024
@michael_w_busch I was there for that talk, and details were scarce, to say the least, for a spacecraft launching in 3 years. The Chinese system is set up for long-planned objectives, but they seem to be rushing this. I assume there's some political pressure on high that they don't want the US to be the only option after DART.
Show threadMichael BuschJul 16, 2024

@simonbp The mission has already been pushed back a couple of times; with changes to the target each time.

So I will not yet make any plans to add #2015XF261 to the observing schedule.