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FILE – This Sept. 23, 2018 file image captured by Rover-1B, and provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) shows the surface of asteroid Ryugu. Japan's space agency is delaying a spacecraft touchdown on an asteroid. (JAXA via AP, File) (Associated Press)
TOKYO – Japan's space agency is delaying a spacecraft touchdown on an asteroid.
The spacecraft Hayabusa2 left Earth in 2014 and traveled 280 million kilometers (170 million miles) to the area of Ryugu Asteroid, which it reached in June.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to go for a trip to Ryug to collect samples in the world of solar energy. JAXA project manager Yuichi Tsuda said Friday that the rockier-than-expected asteroid hardly has any flat spaces for landing.
Hayabusa2 will rehearse near-touchdown approaches to the asteroid later and analyze its surface details. A first landing is expected in late January or later.
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