Japan space probe on its way back after asteroid mission
A Japanese space probe is heading home from an asteroid 250 million km (155 million miles) from Earth after collecting sub-surface samples that could help scientists seeking the origins of life, Japan's space agency says.
Asteroids are believed to have formed at the dawn of the solar system and scientists say the asteroid, called Ryugu, may contain organic matter that may have contributed to life on Earth.
If the return trip is completed successfully, that will be the first time samples from beneath an asteroid's surface have been brought back to Earth, a spokeswoman for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said.
The unmanned Hayabusa 2, named after a falcon, began leaving Ryugu last week, but it is still sending images back to Earth.
Those observations will be wrapped up on Monday or Tuesday before its main engine is activated for the year-long flight, JAXA said.
"This is us bidding farewell to Ryugu," the spokeswoman said.
Hayabusa 2 is scheduled to return to Earth by the end of 2020. After dropping off a capsule containing the samples, without landing, the probe itself will keep on going and fly away into space, finishing its six-year, 29 billion yen ($266 million) mission.
(Source: Reuters)
Iran’s IRGC Ground Force, Azerbaijani army kick off joint military drill
Starbucks closes 50 stores in Malaysia amid anti-Israel boycott drive
Iran, Azerbaijan top brass underline military, defense cooperation
Leader: Israel destined for departure; al-Aqsa Storm can’t be quenched
Hezbollah: 'Fully prepared to counter Israeli aggression, ambitions’
Iran’s gold imports at 61.5 mt in 8 month to late Nov: IRICA
VIDEO | Resistance prevails: Israel's 'disgraceful defeat' in Lebanon
VIDEO | Sana'a university protests call for global action on Gaza
US must investigate Israel’s use of American weapons in Lebanon: Rights group
Biden pushing ahead with $680mn arms sale to Israel
Iran to expand overseas farming to 2mln hectares by 2029
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
