Japanese probe prepares to return an asteroid sample to Earth

The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa 2 has recently landed on the Ryugu asteroid and has taken a sample of this rock orbiting Earth and Mars. JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency, has unveiled plans for the business, including the deployment of another lander on the asteroid and a procedure for returning the sample collected on Earth.

The next challenge for Hayabusa 2 is the planned deployment of the MINERA-II2 undercarriage. Two previous landing gear, called MINERA-II, had already been deployed on the surface of Ryugu to capture close-up images of the asteroid. A test run for the deployment of a third rover to join these two previous ones will take place on September 5, before the actual launch.

This done, the machine will return to Earth and eject a capsule that will enter the Earth's atmosphere. The craft itself will remain in the space, to possibly be reused for a future mission.

The final stage of the mission is for JAXA scientists to recover the capsule once it is placed on the Earth. The capsule is expected to land in the Australian outback, in the forbidden area Woomera, a region used for military testing and not accessible to the public. Therefore, the space agency is in talks with the Australian government to organize the collection. JAXA has already conducted a field study of the planned recovery site, with government approval, and found that the site could be restored. Hopefully this means that the collection of the capsule and its precious cargo will not pose any legal problem.

In order to locate and recover the capsule, a research station will be installed near the planned landing site. The station will be equipped with an antenna capable of detecting the descending beacon of the capsule and locate it by triangulation. In addition to the antenna, infrared video cameras will also look for the capsule.

If something is wrong with the landing of the capsule and the parachute does not open, there is a backup plan. The slight drag caused by the return of the capsule will be followed to estimate the landing point, and the JAXA is also planning to use a marine radar.

Hayabusa2 is expected to return to Earth by the end of next year. JAXA must then finalize its collection plans.

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