The Japanese probe Hayabusa2 is attempting the final landing of its asteroid at 9.15 pm ET

In February, Japan 's second asteroid exploration spacecraft landed on the Ryugu asteroid to collect samples that it would bring back to Earth. Tonight, Hayabusa2 is making his last attempt to collect samples by trying to collect materials exposed by a crater created with explosives in April. Once again, he will attempt to land quickly, shoot a tantalum ball into the surface of the asteroid and recover some of the raised dust, all in about a second.

Assuming everything goes well, the plan is to eventually deploy a second Minerva 2 rover, and then start his one year trip to Earth around November or December.