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Jaxa
The Japanese Space Agency (Jaxa) has released new images from the robots that it has deployed to the surface of an asteroid.
The photos reveal new details about the surface of the rock, known as Ryugu.
On September 21st, the rovers were released to the surface by the "mothership", Hayabusa 2.
Hayabusa 2 arrived in Ryugu in June after a trip of three and a half years.
The images clearly show the rugged and rugged landscape of the rocks of this unusual body of the solar system.
The robots, known as Rover 1A and Rover 1B, are now both confirmed to work on the surface of the planet.
Standalone rovers of 1kg move by hopping, using the low gravity of the asteroid. Each contains a motorized internal mass that rotates to generate force, propelling the robot onto the surface.
Japanese rovers send photos of the asteroid
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Jaxa
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Jaxa
Rover 1B also returned the first video footage to the surface of an asteroid.
On Friday, Hayabusa 2 descended to about 60 m in order to release the rovers, which had been stored in a container on the base of the spacecraft.
One of the main concerns regarding the deployment was Ryugu's rougher surface than expected, which is carpeted with rocks and has very few smooth slabs.
The 1kg rovers are equipped with wide angle and stereo cameras to return images. The spine-shaped projections of the edges of the hoppers are sensors that measure surface temperatures on the asteroid.
The 900 m wide space rock known as 162173 Ryugu belongs to a particularly primitive type of asteroid.
It is believed to be a relic of the early days of our solar system, so studying it could shed light on the origin and evolution of our planet.
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Twitter / HAYABUSA2 @ JAXA
This photo was released by Jaxa on Saturday after the rovers landed
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JAXA
Minerva II-1 rovers move by hopping in the low gravity of Ryugu
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