Container of asteroid debris from Hayabusa2 space probe lands on Earth

A sample container from the Hayabusa2 space probe has successfully landed on Earth. The container was sent to Earth by the space probe after visiting the asteroid Ryugu, where debris was collected.

The Japanese space agency JAXA confirmed on Twitter that the operation was a success. At an altitude of about 10 kilometers above Earth, the parachute deployed as planned and landed in the desert in southern Australia. Scientists have been able to find the container and will investigate the materials collected in the sample container in the near future. In doing so, they hope to learn more about the origin of life in the solar system.

Hayabusa2 was launched in 2014 and arrived at the asteroid Ryugu after several years. By firing a ‘bullet’ on the surface of the asteroid, dust and small stones were released and collected by the probe.

Hayabusa2 began the return trip to Earth a year ago to deliver the sample container. The spacecraft itself is now in transit to another asteroid, named 1998 KY26. There is still enough fuel on board to make the journey, although arrival is not expected until 2031.