Scientists in Japan have been thrilled when asteroid samples will arrive on Monday (Dec) after a long flight from Australia – and the long journey through the solar system.
Those rocks originate on a planet near Earth called Aryugu; This Hibusa 2 The spacecraft dragged them in 2019 before making the entire long journey to deliver them to Earth in small sample-return capsules. On 5 December the capsule landed in the Woomera Prohibited Area of South Australia, Australia, creating a spectacular fireball in the pre-early sky. Japanese scientists at the site successfully discovered the capsule and collected valuable cosmic deliveries to begin the final steps of its journey.
“The dream has come true,” said Hitoshi Kuninaka, director general of the Institute for Space and Astronomical Sciences at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JXA), which runs the Hibusa 2 mission. Said during a press conference Was held on December 5 in Japan.
Related: Japan’s Haibusa 2 asteroid Rayugu sample-return mission in pictures
Haibusa 2 spacecraft departed Ryugu After being sampled from the surface and interior of the asteroid in November 2019. Just two days before delivery was completed, the main spaceship detached from the return capsule and retreated to begin work on it. Extended missionIs, which will encounter two more asteroids in 2026 and 2031.
Meanwhile, Australian scientists were waiting for a special firebur to build a capsule to pass through the atmosphere. “The weather was clear,” Yuichi Susuda, project manager for Hayabusa 2, told a weather news conference at the time of the capsule’s arrival. Streaked by this fireball Southern Cross And near Alpha Centauri, according to officials during the news conference.
Check out this stunning photo of the Hayabusa 2 Rentry taken at Cooper Paddy, near the capsule landing site, Wummera, Australia. pic.twitter.com/EBwHtcZ5YzDecember 6, 2020
But stunning re-entry fireball images that observers were able to capture almost do not exist. A hurricane had passed through the area the day before, and scientists were worried that the weather would make the recovery process more difficult. “We were very lucky one day before it rained heavily,” Satoru Nakazawa, the mission’s recovery manager, told a news conference.
Even though the weather was clear, there was still tension during the recovery process, he said. The sun had not yet risen when the capsule swam, making its bacon signal less clear to those waiting. “I was very, very nervous and restless,” Nakazawa said. “We had a very boring frustrating time until the sun went down.”
PM Suga: # hibusa2 haya2a_I am really happy after the capsule returned to Earth via the Jaxa space probe, which has traveled in space for the first six years. I extend my respect to Professor Susuda, the project manager who led him to success (1/2) pic.twitter.com/yP0lIJ1Ep0December 7, 2020
Once the sun has risen, scientists will be able to see for themselves the capsule, which crashed inside the planned landing area and next to a bush on the red land of Woomera. JAXA personnel carefully adapted the parachute, bush and capsule, Nakazawa explained, to be careful if any explosive parachute triggers were being loaded.
After an initial inspection, about two dozen staff jumped into action, in a box to keep the spacefare capsule safe, then in a helicopter that took it to the team’s headquarters. There, scientists tried to draw one Gas sample from capsuleIs, which may still contain gases from Ryugu.
Capsule collection! The helicopter team immediately flew to a location identified by the DFS team. They discovered the fallen capsule using radio waves and maps. Thank you very much! (Collection Team M) # hibusa 2 # は や ぶ さ ２ # asteroid explorer hibusa 2 # HAYA2 report pic.twitter.com/KSyEbnU3YdDecember 6, 2020
But the clock was ticking: the Haibusa 2 team needed a sample within 100 hours of returning to Earth in Japan to keep the space rocked. So the next target of the capsule was a plane for a nine-hour flight from Australia to Japan on Monday.
“There the sample will start telling her stories and introduce some of us Awesome science, “Megan Clarke, head of the Australian Space Agency, told a news conference.” 2020 has been a difficult year around the world, but the safe return of Haibusa 2 and the capsule is reminiscent of renewing our confidence in the world and us. Faith and appreciation and awe in the science of our universe. “
We observed the re-entry of the capsule around Kuber Paddy, with the help of the Curtin Observatory. The inspection was successful and here is our image! Https: //t.co/KTdV0G9moU Credit: Curtin University, Kochi University, Technology, Nihon University, Ibaraki University, JXA pic.twitter.com/qTFW8I8UD9December 6, 2020
Before looking at the sample yourself, the scientists with the mission are thrilled about the successful collection process and the scientific discoveries that will result.
“Haibusa 2 is home. It’s been six years since the trip and we landed in Woomera and we were able to collect this. Treasure Bucks“The goal, which started in December 2001,” said Tasuda. “
Email Meghan Bartel at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @meghanbartels. Follow us On Twitter @speed.com and Facebook.
