A computer-generated artist’s rendering of the separation of a capsule (centre left) containing samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu and scheduled for re-entry to Earth from the space probe Hayabusa2 (right). Photo: JAXA via Jiji Press/ AFP A computer-generated artist’s rendering of the separation of a capsule (centre left) containing samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu and scheduled for re-entry to Earth from the space probe Hayabusa2 (right). Photo: JAXA via Jiji Press/ AFP
A computer-generated artist’s rendering of the separation of a capsule (centre left) containing samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu and scheduled for re-entry to Earth from the space probe Hayabusa2 (right). Photo: JAXA via Jiji Press/ AFP
Japan
Asia /  East Asia

Japan spacecraft Hayabusa2 drops capsule to Earth with Ryugu asteroid samples

  • The capsule is due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere early Sunday before landing in a southern Australian desert
  • Scientists hope the specimens, which include the world’s first subsurface asteroid sample, could help explain the origin of life

Topic |   Japan
Kyodo
Kyodo

Updated: 8:52pm, 5 Dec, 2020

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A computer-generated artist’s rendering of the separation of a capsule (centre left) containing samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu and scheduled for re-entry to Earth from the space probe Hayabusa2 (right). Photo: JAXA via Jiji Press/ AFP A computer-generated artist’s rendering of the separation of a capsule (centre left) containing samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu and scheduled for re-entry to Earth from the space probe Hayabusa2 (right). Photo: JAXA via Jiji Press/ AFP
A computer-generated artist’s rendering of the separation of a capsule (centre left) containing samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu and scheduled for re-entry to Earth from the space probe Hayabusa2 (right). Photo: JAXA via Jiji Press/ AFP
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