News Planetary Science

Hayabusa2 just tried to collect asteroid dust for the first time

The Japanese spacecraft will eventually return to Earth, hopefully hauling a sample of Ryugu

Hayabusa2

LOOK OUT BELOW  The shadow of the Hayabusa2 spacecraft (small black dot to the left) is visible on the surface of asteroid Ryugu in this image, taken shortly before the spacecraft touched down on Ryugu’s surface for the first time.

JAXA

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft has quickly tapped the surface of asteroid Ryugu, making the first of three planned attempts to grab a pinch of dust.