A photo from open sources
Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Research Agency presented a video on which the Hayabusa-2 space probe takes rock samples from the asteroid Ryugu.
The Japanese probe has been in the system for several months now. an asteroid, and soil collection is the final stage of work. On the the presented video clearly visible dust and particles that rise above the surface of the asteroid in low gravity.
The operation of the chamber, which collected soil samples, in detail captured the whole process. What is remarkable, this camera on research probe was funded by amateurs astronomical research.
A photo from open sources
Crater image data was taken at intervals of 1 second just before the probe lands on the asteroid.
The video shows the process of sampling – from the moment of descent to an asteroid until the collection and loading of samples. Crater in which the probe went down, was obtained as a result of the explosion of a bomb dropped earlier from the spacecraft.
The presented video was collected from different fragments, and playback speed increased up to 10 times. Actually a probe descended onto the asteroid very slowly, as it was necessary carefully monitor every step of the planned actions.
A photo from open sources
Japanese scientists also published several images of the second phases of taking soil, therefore all photographs are arranged in one collage.
According to the plans of Japanese scientists, the Hayabusa-2 probe will fly by of our planet in December 2020. At this time the spacecraft will drop to the Earth a capsule with taken soil samples.
However, the probe’s mission will not end there, as it will head to the next asteroid codenamed 2001 WR1 but no samples will not be taken from him, but will only circulate him and surface survey. This task is scheduled for 2023.
Andrey Vetrov
Japan
