Chinese Spacecraft Sends Pics of Earth & Moon Clicked from 5,90,000 km Away
In a groundbreaking achievement, China’s National Space Administration (CNSA) has released high-definition pictures of the Earth and the Moon, taken from a staggering distance of 5,90,000 kilometers away. The photos were captured by China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft, which has been in orbit for over 33 days and is currently over 12 million kilometers away from Earth.
The Tianwen-2 spacecraft, also known as the China’s first asteroid sample return mission, aims to collect and return with China’s first asteroid sample. Launched on December 10, 2023, the spacecraft is on a mission to explore the asteroid 2023 TX1, which is a small, near-Earth asteroid.
The high-definition pictures released by CNSA show the Earth and the Moon in stunning detail, with the blue-hued planet and the gray, rocky Moon suspended against the blackness of space. The images were taken using the spacecraft’s high-resolution camera, which is capable of capturing images with a resolution of up to 1 meter per pixel.
The Tianwen-2 spacecraft is equipped with a range of scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and radar systems. These instruments will help scientists gather valuable data about the asteroid, its composition, and its orbit.
The release of these pictures comes as a major milestone in China’s space exploration program, which has been rapidly expanding in recent years. In 2020, China became the first country to land a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon, with its Chang’e 4 mission. Since then, China has launched several successful missions, including the Chang’e 5 mission, which returned with the first lunar samples in over 40 years.
The Tianwen-2 spacecraft is expected to reach its destination in July 2024, where it will begin its sample collection mission. The spacecraft will use a robotic arm to collect samples from the asteroid’s surface and store them in a specialized container. After completing its mission, the spacecraft will return to Earth, carrying the precious samples with it.
The successful completion of the Tianwen-2 mission will mark a major achievement for China’s space program, demonstrating its capabilities and expertise in asteroid exploration and sample return. The mission is also expected to provide valuable insights into the composition and evolution of the solar system.
As China continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, its achievements are inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers to pursue careers in the field. The release of these high-definition pictures of the Earth and the Moon is a testament to the incredible capabilities of China’s space program and its commitment to advancing our understanding of the universe.
