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Asteroid Ryugu, taken with the ONC-T camera of the Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 at a distance of 22 kilometers. Photo: JAXA and partner institutions
Source: dpa-infocom GmbH
After three and a half years flying in space, the "Mascot" lander is about to arrive on the asteroid Ryugu. There, the device for measuring the size of a shoebox should explore the small planet.
K öln (dpa) – At 3:15 local time it was early Friday morning: The control center of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne has the first signals of the asteroid earth "mascot" after arrival received at the Ryugu asteroid.
"Mascot" is aboard the Japanese space probe "Hayabusa2", which reached the asteroid after three and a half years traveling through space. "Hayabusa2" now flies 20 kilometers from Ryugu, whose angular shape is unusual.
"We are very close to our destination and exactly where we want to go," said Christian Krause, Operations Manager at DLR. Now, the preparations for landing begin. The software will now be tested and the batteries prepared for use, said the project manager Tra-Mi Ho. In addition, the landing site must be found.
In early October, "Mascot" lands on the asteroid close to the Earth. 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, "Mascotte" hopes to explore the minor planet through an integrated articulated arm. The instruments collect data on the composition of the surface of the asteroid, the temperature and the magnetic field.
Researchers want to learn more about planet formation, but also plan more effectively the possible defense against asteroid impacts. 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.
DLR's communication
DLR's special page to "Mascot"
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