Confirmation of the asteroid Ryugu sample collection by the asteroid explorer, Hayabusa2
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is pleased to confirm that samples from asteroid Ryugu have been collected within the sample container inside the re-entry capsule of the asteroid explorer, Hayabusa2.
The Hayabusa2 re-entry capsule was recovered in Woomera, Australia on December 6, 2020 and delivered to the JAXA Sagamihara Campus on December 8. Work then began to open the sample container inside the re-entry capsule. On December 14, a sample of grains of black sand thought to be derived from asteroid Ryugu was confirmed to be inside the sample container. These are believed to be particles attached to the entrance of the sample catcher (the container in which the samples have been stored).
Work will continue with opening the sample catcher that sits in the sample container. The curation and initial analysis team will remove the samples and proceed with the analysis.
Figure 1: Sample container structure (credit: JAXA)
Figure 2: image of the inside of the sample container, taken with the scope camera (credit: JAXA)
Links
You Might Also Like
Regarding the journal paper on microbial contamination found on a grain from asteroid Ryugu
Dec 5, 2024Exploring the history of aqueous alteration in the Solar System with the samples from asteroid Ryugu
Oct 4, 2024World's first asteroid gas sample delivered by the Hayabusa2 mission: A treasure box from Ryugu
Oct 21, 2022Ryugu may have originated from a comet nucleus that contained amino acids needed for life on Earth
Jun 13, 2022Completion of Transportation of the Hayabusa2 Re-entry Capsule to the JAXA Sagamihara Campus
Dec 8, 2020