Hayabusa2 Update: The Soil Sample from Asteroid Ryugu Has Been Safely Brought Back to Earth!

JAXA

The Results of Hayabusa2 Re-entry Capsule Recovery (Press Release)

On December 6, 2020, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has recovered the body of the capsule, the heat shields, and the parachute of the Hayabusa2 re-entry capsule in the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). Tomorrow, the capsule recovery team will extract gas out of the capsule at the operation headquarters in Australia. Researchers considered the gas originates from the precious sample from Asteroid Ryugu.

After the capsule separation, the spacecraft performed trajectory correction maneuvers three times every 30 minutes to depart from the Earth's sphere from 15:30 to 16:30 on December 5 (JST). The Hayabusa2 team members confirmed the trajectory correction maneuvers' success at 16:31 on the same day (JST). The current status of the spacecraft is normal.

We take this opportunity to show our deepest gratitude to the governments of Australia and Japan, NASA, and relevant parties for their cooperation in the recovery of the Hayabusa2 re-entry capsule. Our appreciation extends to the people of Japan and the world for their generous support and encouragement.

Source: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

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JAXA