China to visit Earth’s ‘quasi-moon’ and bring a chunk of it back home

China’s National Space Agency today launched the nation’s first asteroid sample mission. The Tianwen 2 probe rode a Long March 3B rocket into orbit at 1:31 on Thursday morning. Its first destination is Asteroid 2016HO3, aka 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, which orbits the Sun but, when seen from Earth appears to orbit our home planet, …

[that one in the corner]

A diameter of just 40 to 100 meters*

Will start counting the days until Trump announces that Musk will send Starship up to collect the entire thing[1] and bring it back to to get one over on China.

[1] yes, I know, even at best this is out by a factor of around 25 to 30 (depending upon how well it is packed) to fit into the payload bay, but perhaps just give it a shove in our direction?

* insert obligatory "gas or electric?" here.

PS

In all seriousness, good to see more science missions, even if there are sneaking suspicions this may(!) have some political motivations.

[Paul Herber]

Re: A diameter of just 40 to 100 meters*

" * insert obligatory "gas or electric?" here. "

You need to know the diameter and altitude to work out your parking orbit.

[Andy Non]

Re: A diameter of just 40 to 100 meters*

"your parking orbit"

And take some change to pay for said parking. You don't want to get a ticket, the fine might be astronomical.

[MyffyW]

Re: A diameter of just 40 to 100 meters*

"We will be prepared to offer a 50% discount if paid within the first 14 Astronomical Units"*

(*yes I know that is a measure of distance not time, but I'm invoking the Lucas-cantina-license)

[ravenviz]

Re: A diameter of just 40 to 100 meters*

Blue Origin Badge holders park for free.

[Paul Herber]

China definitely needs to plant a flag there.

[Tron]

I think we could beat them to Mars and bag some rocks.

Bring back 'Scrapheap Challenge' for a Mars shot. Proper job!

[Paul Herber]

Re: I think we could beat them to Mars and bag some rocks.

Proper job

Mmmm, good beer.

[Anonymous Coward]

Elon

Maybe Elon could go live there? I'd chip in!

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Elon

Musk doesn't trust his own rockets despite others using them to go to the ISS & back. Tells you a lot.

['bluey]

Re: Elon

It really does say a lot! I wonder if he uses FSD on his Tesla? :D

[Eclectic Man]

Question

What effects does the Earth's gravity have on the asteroid's orbit of the sun? Would it follow a similar orbit in the absence of the Earth?

[Claptrap314]

Re: Question

lgddgtfy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/469219_Kamo%CA%BBoalewa#Quasi-satellite_of_Earth

[Anonymous Coward]

China is going to blow past the U.S. in every regard by pandering to private sector protectionism and murdering public sector advancement.