The capsule managed to escape from the spacecraft 220,000 kilometers from Earth and landed in the Australian desert on Saturday night, Central European Time. After the space capsule landed in southern Australia, they were able to intercept its radio signal, from which it could be found, a helicopter taking off from Woomera air base. said the Japanese space agency Jaxa.
The capsule, which is eagerly awaited, brings two types of soil samples to Earth: one from the surface of the asteroid Ryugu and one from beneath the asteroid’s surface. Researchers are especially interested in the latter because they have not yet assessed the effects of radiation from space and other environmental factors.
Capsules in the Australian outback.
Amazing images have been released of today’s discovery and restoration # Hayabusa2 example of a return capsule in the Woomera Restricted Area, South Australia.
? @JAXAen @ haya2ja. pic.twitter.com/2JaqxhMB7n
– Australian Space Agency (@AusSpaceAgency) 6 December 2020
congratulation to @JAXAen on safe re-entry and recovery # haybusa2 space capsule to WPA. Defense is proud of our successful partnership with @JAXAen and @AuspaceAency ???? #DefenceScience #YourADF pic.twitter.com/r8GKpnpAeC
– Department of Defense (@DeptDefence) 6 December 2020
Josikava Makoto, project manager for the Hajabus-2 mission, said scientists were very interested in analyzing organic matter in soil samples.
“Life on Earth came from organic matter, but we still don’t know where it came from. We hope that the details of the organic matter brought by Hajabus-2 can provide information about the origin of the Solar System and how life on Earth developed, “said Josikava. .
Carrying valuable soil samples, the capsule, which is only 40 centimeters in diameter, becomes a fireball as it enters Earth’s atmosphere, and then a parachute opens at an altitude of about 10,000 meters.
The capsules will be shipped to Japan and will only be opened there to begin analyzing soil samples.
After the capsule was released, the Hairbus-2 spacecraft began moving away from Earth again to take pictures of the capsule. It then starts another asteroid “1998KY26” approaching Earth, which is slated to be reached in ten years.
If you’re not in Coober Pedy to see it, we’ll bring it to you! ☄️
Watch as # Hayabusa2 The capsule fireball crossed the sky towards the Woomera Forbidden Area. Thank you for @JAXAen to catch this extraordinary #room moment. @ haya2ja pic.twitter.com/L1cSA9Ep5z
– Australian Space Agency (@AusSpaceAgency) December 5, 2020
Nyitókép: Twitter / Australian Space Agency
