Categories: Technology Facts

A capsule carrying asteroid rocks has successfully landed on EarthCharlotte Jeeon December 7, 2020 at 12:32 pm

The news: A capsule containing the first rock samples from the asteroid Ryugu returned to Earth on Sunday, December 6, in “perfect” condition, according to researchers.

The samples were gathered after a six-year mission by the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa-2 to and from Ryugu, which is 180 million miles away. Hayabusa-2 flew close to Earth and dropped off the capsule, which then streaked through the atmosphere at high speeds before deploying a parachute. The 16-kilogram capsule, which contains around 0.1 grams of rock and dust, landed safely in Woomera, South Australia, at 4:37 local time and was located and collected shortly after by a recovery team led by Japan’s space agency, JAXA.

The precious sample is carefully packed to be taken to Japan for studying (JAXA)
The team carefully inspects the spot where it fell (JAXA)

The significance: It’s only the second time in history that samples from an asteroid have arrived on Earth—the first was the original Hayabusa mission, but that managed to bring back only a few micrograms of asteroid dust. The hope is that the samples will help researchers understand the formation of the solar system, including habitable worlds like Earth.

Asteroids are like time capsules of ancient space history because their physical and chemical composition is much better preserved than a planet’s, which changes more over time. Ryugu should also help us understand what kinds of elements and compounds might have been delivered to the early Earth by meteorite impacts. After dropping off its precious cargo, Hayabusa-2 fired its engines again and is now traveling to asteroid 2001 CC21 for a fly-by in July 2026, and then a rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26 in July 2031.

What’s next: The capsule is set to be transported to Japan, where we will find out exactly how much asteroid material was gathered, and researchers can start to analyze it to see what clues it holds.

Read More

Recent Posts

Interesting Facts You Don’t Know About Chromatography

Chromatography may sound like a mouthful, but it plays an essential role in many fields…

1 day ago

4 Types of Electric Automotive Actuators

Electric automotive actuators are tiny powerhouses working tirelessly behind the scenes to enhance your driving…

2 days ago

How Pressure Transducers Enhance Water Management Systems

Explore how pressure transducers boost efficiency and reliability in water management systems by providing accurate…

2 days ago

Top Benefits Of Custom Bags For Businesses And Individuals

Custom bags have become a popular choice for businesses and individuals looking to combine functionality…

6 days ago

Ways To Make Metal Fabrication More Sustainable

Are you looking for ways to make your metal fabrication process more sustainable? We’ve detailed…

6 days ago

Understanding the Anatomy of Your Embroidery Machine

Learn about the essential components of your embroidery machine to enhance your understanding of this…

6 days ago