Hayabusa2 Approaches Asteroid Ryugu
Credit & Copyright: ISAS,
JAXA,
Hayabusa2 Team
Explanation:
It looks like a big space diamond -- but with craters.
It's 162173 Ryugu
(Dragon's Castle), and
Japan's robotic
Hayabusa2 mission
is now arriving at this
near-Earth asteroid.
Ambitious
Hayabusa2 is carrying an armada
of separable probes, including two impactors,
four small close-proximity hoverers,
three small surface hoppers, and the
Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT) which will
land, study, and move around on Ryugu's surface.
Most of these are equipped with cameras.
Moreover,
Hayabusa2 itself is
scheduled
to collect surface samples and return these samples to Earth for a
detailed
analysis near the end of 2020.
Previously, what was known about asteroid Ryugu was its orbit, that it spans about
one kilometer, and that it has a
dark surface
that reflects unusual colors.
Studying Ryugu could
tell humanity
not only about Ryugu's surface and interior,
but about what materials were available in the early
Solar System for the
development of life.
Pictured, a series of approach images shows features suggestive of large
boulders and
craters.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
