Bring Asteroid Samples, Hayabusa2 Aircraft Will Landing to Earth
Capsule samples from the Japanese Hayabusa2 spacecraft will return to Earth on December 6, 2020 at the Woomera Range Complex. The spacecraft is deploying multiple miniprobes to the surface of the asteroid, to take the Ryugu asteroid to Earth, citing Space.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has applied for an Authorization of Return of Overseas Launched Space Object (AROLSO). The application has been approved under the Australian Space Activities Act.
Hayabusa2 was launched in December 2014 and arrived at Ryugu in June 2018. Then the aircraft carrier Hayabusa2 made its own way to surface Ryugu twice in 2019.
Hayabusa2 left Ryugu in November 2019, and is currently on his way back to Earth. Scientists are eager to incorporate Ryugu material into their laboratories on Earth, where it can be studied in great detail with a variety of powerful instruments.
The researchers say, from the Ryugu sample can explain the formation and evolution of asteroids, as well as the role of carbon-rich space rocks in helping life on Earth.
NASA itself has an asteroid sampling mission currently in operation. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has been closely studying the carbon-rich Bennu asteroid since December 2018 and is scheduled to take samples next October.
If it goes according to plan, OSIRIS-Rex will return to Earth in September 2023, landing in the Utah desert.