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After three and a half years flying in space, the "Mascot" lander stands on the Ryugu asteroid before arriving. At the local time it was early Friday morning: the control center of the German Aerospace Center in Cologne received the first signals of the land of "mascot" asteroids after arriving at the airport. asteroid Ryugu. received. "Mascot" is aboard the Japanese spacecraft "Hayabusa2", which reached the asteroid after three and a half years traveling in space. "Hayabusa2" now flies 20 miles (20 km) alongside Ryugu, whose angular shape is unusual.
The correct landing site still missing
"We are very close to our destination and exactly where we want to go" Christian Krause. Now that Mascot is only 20 kilometers above the asteroid, the preparations for landing begin. The software will now be tested and the batteries prepared, says the project manager Tra-Mi Ho. In addition, the correct landing site must be found.
In early October, Mascot will land on the near-Earth asteroid to perform measurements. 60 meters above the surface, the mother probe pushes him out, and then the only Lander the size of a shoebox slowly floats. Once disembarked, "Mascot" hopes to explore the minor planet through an integrated swingarm. The instruments collect data on the composition of the surface of the asteroid, the temperature and the magnetic field.
Researchers want to know more about planet formation, but also plan possible defense against asteroid impacts more effectively. However, "Mascot" does not have a lot of time to collect data: his batteries last only 16 hours. Then he stays on Ryugu. By contrast, the Japanese spacecraft is expected to return to Earth by the end of 2019 and carry asteroid materials.
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