Hayabusa2 Successfully Performs Flyby of Asteroid Torifune
Tokyo, Japan – Japan's space probe Hayabusa2 successfully completed a flyby observation of the asteroid Torifune on Sunday at approximately 6:30 p.m. Japan time, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed. Data received from the spacecraft verified that the mission was executed as planned.
This flyby is part of the Hayabusa2 Extended Mission, which began in 2020 after the probe delivered a sample capsule from asteroid Ryugu to Earth. The spacecraft is now on a long journey toward its final target, which it is expected to reach in 2031.
"The probe approached within 800 meters of Torifune's center at a relative speed of 5 km/s, capturing images during the pass."
The mission aims to develop critical technology for precise spacecraft control and high-speed asteroid approach maneuvers. These capabilities are essential for advancing planetary defense, as they could one day help alter the trajectory of asteroids on a collision course with Earth.
JAXA will hold a news conference on Monday to present detailed results and release images from the flyby, provided they were captured successfully.