REAL LIFE NEWS: SPACE PROBE REACHES ITS TARGET ASTEROID
by Hazed
A Japanese spacecraft has arrived at the asteroid it has been travelling towards for four years.
Hayabusa 2’s target is a space rock called Ryugu, which is shaped like a diamond (you can see a picture at the source link below). The probe will study the asteroid close up and take samples of rocks and soil, which will be delivered back to Earth.
It will start by studying the surface features, and then will use explosives to propel a projectile into the rock so it can dig out a sample from below the surface. While Hayabusa 2 remains in orbit around the asteroid, a copper “impactor” will separate and float down to the surface.
Studying asteroids gives scientists insights into the origins of the Solar System, since the rocks are leftover bits of the materials that formed the planets. In the coming months and years we are sure to get some fascinating findings from the Hayabusa 2 mission.
Meanwhile in other asteroid mission news, a NASA probe is on its way to an asteroid called Bennu and is expected to arrive there in August. It too hopes to bring back samples of asteroid dust.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44603120
