beecee Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 https://phys.org/news/2019-07-japan-hayabusa2-probe-touchdown-asteroid.html Japan's Hayabusa2 probe makes 'perfect' touchdown on asteroid: Japan's Hayabusa2 probe made a "perfect" touchdown Thursday on a distant asteroid, collecting samples from beneath the surface in an unprecedented mission that could shed light on the origins of the solar system. "We've collected a part of the solar system's history," project manager Yuichi Tsuda said at a jubilant press conference hours after the successful landing was confirmed. "We have never gathered sub-surface material from a celestial body further away than the Moon," he added. "We did it and we succeeded in a world first." extract: Hayabusa2's first touchdown was in February, when it landed briefly on Ryugu and fired a bullet into the surface to puff up dust for collection, before blasting back to its holding position. The second touchdown required special preparations because any problems could mean the probe would lose the precious materials already gathered during its first landing. more at link....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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