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On April 4, the Hayabusa2 threw a bomb on a rock of space, then stooped to take cover and wait for the debris to settle – but before that, he watched as the impactor flew to the asteroid, called Ryugu.
The satellite, operated by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), has been studying the asteroid for nearly a year since June 2018. As part of its mission, the Hayabusa2 Interacted with Ryugu in a series of slightly aggressive methods, all designed to help scientists better understand space rock and what he might tell us about the early days of the solar system.
Hayabusa2 first published a series of little rovers hopping on the surface. Then he lowered himself to the surface of Ryugu to suck a sample of his rock. Then came perhaps the most violent experience of the lot: use an explosive device to create an artificial crater on the surface of the asteroid.
Related: Photos: Japanese Mission on Returning Hayabusa2 Asteroid Samples
That's precisely what happened on April 4 and now, JAXA has released a video clip of the impactor en route to space. The video was taken from the main spacecraft, so it was cut well before the explosion – to protect itself flying debrisHayabusa2 hid behind Ryugu and stayed there for about two weeks.
But the video still offers an incredible glimpse of the rock surface of the asteroid from 500 meters.
The JAXA was able to confirm one day after the maneuver that the impactor definitely hit the surface of Ryugu and released a grainy image of flying debris from the space rock. But the agency has not yet released images of the crater left by the process.
Scientists will use these images – and maybe even a sample picked up from the crater, if the mission achieves its remaining goals – to better understand Ryugu's interior. The artificial crater should have extracted some of the surface materials from the asteroid, thus allowing scientists to access pristine rocks unaffected by the harsh conditions of space.
In addition to inspecting the crater, the JAXA also intends to launch a final small rover on The surface of Ryugu before packing and returning home at the end of the year. On his return to Earth, the spacecraft will take with him samples from the far-off world that he spent so much time studying – precious cargo of his invasive studies.
Email Meghan Bartels to [email protected] or follow her @meghanbartels. follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
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