Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

Japan’s Probe Briefly Landed on an Asteroid to Shoot It with a Bullet

By Jennifer DeLaOsa | February 25, 2019

Share

Japan’s Hayabusa2 probe successfully landed on the Ryugu asteroid that’s 300 million km away, to collect samples that could point to the origin of the solar system and life itself.

The probe didn’t stay long. After touchdown, it fired a special bullet into the asteroid’s surface in order to gather the scattered dust samples for analysis back on Earth. Hayabusa2 then returned to its holding position in space, according to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) officials via AFP.

The probe took photos throughout its descent. Below is one of the last images taken by Hayabusa2 before the bullet was fired.

(Image Source: JAXA, AFP)

The landing was faster than expected, and it seems the process unfolded smoothly. A live webcast captured the anxious JAXA staff members in the control room during the event. When the team received a signal from the Hayabusa2 that it had landed, the room exploded into applause, according to AFP.

The whole process was documented on Twitter, with the mission posting a celebratory photo in the aftermath of Hayabusa2’s success.

Originally, the landing was supposed to take place last year, however, surface surveys revealed the asteroid was more rugged than expected. So, the team had to regroup to find an ideal spot for touchdown.

Additional tests, such as the one below, were carried out, firing an identical tantalum bullet used by the probe in a container of artificial gravel mimicking Ryugu’s surface conditions. After Hayabusa2’s successful touchdown, it’s evident the JAXA tests exceeded expectations.

Ryugu is a carbon-rich (C-type) asteriod, and according to the BBC, “The near-Earth asteroid (NEA) is a relic left over from the early days of our Solar System.” So, Ryugu may reveal how water and life formed on Earth.

The mission also dispatched two tiny hopping MINERVA-II rovers, as well as the MASCOT lander, to collect data about the asteroid’s surface. The two rovers can jump as high as 49 ft (15 m), and stay in the air as long as 15 minutes. They use on-board cameras, thermometers, sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, according to JAXA.

Carrying a $270 million (30 billion yen) price tag, the Hayabusa2 mission launched in December 2014 and is slated to leave Ryugu in December 2019, returning to Earth a year later.


Filed Under: Aerospace + defense

 

Related Articles Read More >

Mars helicopter receives Collier Trophy
Flexible rotary shafts to power Delta Airlines’ engines powering their first Airbus A321neo aircraft
Ontic acquires Servotek and Westcon product lines from Marsh Bellofram
Flexible rotary shafts support thrust reverser on 150 LEAP 1-A turbofan engines

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Industrial disc pack couplings
  • Pushing performance: Adding functionality to terminal blocks
  • Get to Know Würth Industrial Division
  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard

Design World Podcasts

July 26, 2022
Tech Tuesdays: Sorbothane marks 40 years of shock and vibration innovation
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings