Hyabusa2 almost home

[brian livesey]

Japan's asteroid probe is due to deposit it's rock samples of asteroid Ryugu early on Sunday at a site in Australia.
Scientists think that the samples might assist in the search for discovering the origins of life. Hyabusa 2 is the first probe to sample subsurface material from an asteroid.

[brian livesey]

Hyabusa2 arrived intact in Australia today with its subsurface asteroid sample. Japan has more asteroid missions to persue in its exploration of these solar system bodies.

[jeff.stevens]

It’s quite a feat isn’t it, and the Hyabusa-2 craft is on its way to another mission in 2031.

I wonder how they will capture the gases from the capsule - presumably open it in vacuum chamber?

Interesting article on the recovery. Must have been quite a sight to see it trailing across the night sky.

Best wishes, Jeff.