Bow shock around very young star LL Ori. The Chinese heliosphere probes would study such regions.
Bow shock around very young star LL Ori. Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team/STScI/AURA

HELSINKI — China has published coordinated papers outlining dual missions to the solar system’s edge, suggesting the long-studied project is nearing formal approval.

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Andrew Jones writes about China's space industry, including civilian programs, space science and exploration, policy, and commercial developments for SpaceNews, and writes the China Report newsletter. He has additional bylines in Scientific American,...