The Chinese Tianwen-2 mission has captured the first imagery of a space object that some astronomers are calling Earth’s “quasi-moon.”
The object was captured in images released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), after its Tianwen-2 spacecraft reached the tiny asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa. Initially discovered in 2016, the asteroid became the target of a sample return mission launched by China on 28 May 2025.
Officially the CNSA’s second mission under its Planetary Exploration of China Program, Tianwen-2 aims to return close to 100 grams of samples from the surface of the small object.
Earth’s Mysterious Quasi-Moons
Quasi-moons are the name astronomers have for small, very distant objects that do not impact our planet’s tides or possess other characteristics associated with our primary moon.
These objects are nonetheless considered moon-like because they remain in our celestial neighborhood for extended periods, providing unique opportunities for studying near-Earth objects (NEOs) like asteroids, and the impact things like solar radiation and gravity have on them.
Although Kamoʻoalewa (also known as asteroid 2016 HO3) is the most well-known of Earth’s quasi-moons, it is one of seven that are currently known to astronomers. Kamoʻoalewa’s orbit is technically also around the Sun, rather than Earth, although its synchronized path keeps it locked closely to Earth’s orbit, thereby justifying its recognition as a “quasi-satellite.”
The object’s size and distance make it an ideal target for studying NEOs, and China leaped at the opportunity with the CNSA’s Tianwen-2 mission.
Approaching a Quasi-Moon
The Tianwen-2 spacecraft is currently nearing 20 kilometers from the 130 to 330-foot space rock, according to a statement CNSA released on Monday.
Along with a mission update, the CNSA also released new images, which are the first to officially document the object’s appearance. According to current mission timelines, Tianwen-2 will remain in the vicinity of 469219 Kamoʻoalewa until next April, and by sometime in November 2027, its return capsule is expected to reach Earth.
After its study of 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, Tianwen-2 will then make its way with the aid of a gravity assist in the direction of the comet 311P/PANSTARRS, arriving in its vicinity by January 2035.
“Going forward, the probe will gradually conduct more detailed scientific explorations to obtain information on the asteroid’s shape, material composition, and internal structure,” read the CNSA’s statement on Monday.
The agency said its ongoing collection of information will help to provide “support for preparations for sampling,” and the spacecraft will spend the next several months conducting reconnaissance of the asteroid before its sample collection begins, which will combine high-speed maneuvers with the deployment of a specialized robotic arm.
Following their collection, the samples will be delivered to a recovery site in the Gobi Desert after dropping into Earth’s atmosphere in November 2027.
Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. A longtime reporter on science, defense, and technology with a focus on space and astronomy, he can be reached at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow him on X @MicahHanks, and at micahhanks.com.