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2 sources·Started 22d ago·Updated 21d ago
Two Asian space probes reach asteroids in historic weekend
Hayabusa2TorifuneTianwen-2JAXAJapanChinaasteroidRyugu
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This weekend saw two major asteroid mission milestones as Japan's Hayabusa2 flew within 800 meters of asteroid Torifune, and China's Tianwen-2 arrived at its target asteroid after a 1-billion-km journey. Source: arstechnica
Hayabusa2 flyby
Hayabusa2, which completed its primary mission to Ryugu in 2020, used its remaining ion propulsion fuel to extend its journey. On Sunday, it passed just 800 meters from the peanut-shaped Torifune, collecting data until the closest approach. JAXA confirmed the spacecraft is working normally but only part of the data has been transmitted. Source: arstechnica The flyby is part of a technology test for planetary defense, according to SCMP, which notes the probe was moving at over 18,000 km/h and was not intended to collide. Source: scmp
Tianwen-2 arrival
China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft reached its target asteroid after a 1-billion-km trip and released images. The mission aims to collect samples and return them to Earth late next year. Source: arstechnica This dual achievement underscores the growing capabilities of Asian space agencies in asteroid exploration.
Sources
4 quotesArs Technica↗
“On Sunday, an aging Japanese spacecraft named Hayabusa2... found success with an extended mission that saw the vehicle fly by a peanut-shaped asteroid named Torifune.”
Ars Technica↗
“the Chinese space agency released images from a spacecraft, Tianwen-2, arriving at its target asteroid following a journey of 1 billion km.”
SCMP↗
“The fridge-sized Hayabusa2 was due to fly within 800 metres (0.5 miles) of asteroid Torifune, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) scientists said earlier, a trial run to see whether such a probe could deflect a potentially dangerous space rock away from Earth.”
Ars Technica↗
“By this point, however, Hayabusa2's efficient propulsion system still had nearly half of its xenon propellant remaining—approximately 30 kg of the 66 kg it began its mission with.”