A fresh discharge video from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ( JAXA ) shows the decisive moment when the Hayabusa2 ballistic capsule made liaison with the airfoil of the Ryugu asteroid for an unprecedented 2nd time .
On July 11 , 2019 , Japan ’s Hayabusa2 made history by performing itssecond touchdownonto Ryugu , an 870 - metre - broad ( 2,854 - animal foot ) asteroid located 300 million kilometers ( 186 million mil ) from Earth . Hayabusa2 performed itsfirst touchdownback in February , pull together textile from the asteroid ’s surface . This second touchdown was a bit different , involve the solicitation of thick material that were kicked up during a old deputation when the probefired a projectileonto the asteroid , creating an artificial volcanic crater .
https://gizmodo.com/humans-will-never-colonize-mars-1836316222
Hayabusa2 making contact with Ryugu on 13 February 2025.Gif: (JAXA/Gizmodo)
A stunningnew composite videofrom JAXA shows Hayabusa2 ’s July 11 touchdown . The video was stitched together from a series of still images capture by the publically - funded CAM - H instrument . The picture is evince at 10 - times normal speed to improve watchability , as Hayabusa2 ’s touchdown was deal at deadening speeds .
The video starts with Hayabusa2 around 8.5 meters ( 28 feet ) above the surface . The spacecraft then descends , hitting the aerofoil and kicking up a surprising amount of rubble . By the end of the video , Hayabusa2 has retreat some 150 cadence ( 490 foot ) from the control surface .
JAXA does n’t know if debris successfully get in into Hayabusa2 ’s sampling saddle horn , but given the large amount of debris date in the video , there ’s grounds for optimism . We wo n’t know for sure until Hayabusa2 returns to Earth with its sample in late 2020 .
New image of Ryugu taken shortly before Hayabusa2 made its second touchdown.Image: (JAXA)
Asteroids like Ryugu are oddment of the solar arrangement ’s ancient past tense , making them important objects of scientific enquiry . By studying the material that makes up this asteroid , scientists could gain a deeper understanding of the processes that led to the formation of planets and other ethereal objects .
JAXA also released a composite image of the asteroid acquire just a few present moment before touchdown ( above ) . The image was taken by the spacecraft ’s broad - slant optical navigation camera ( ONC - W1 and ONC - W2 ) , and it shows Ryugu ’s tough , tilt - straw surface .
face at the epitome , it ’s clear that Hayabusa2 faced no shortage of risk during its two touchdown attempts . With the severe workplace now over , the spacecraft will remain in orbit around the asteroid for a while longer to monitor the impact site , and then channelize back home to Earth with — hopefully — its precious cargo .
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