Space Probe Hayabusa2 Releases Capsule


Space probe Hayabusa2 releases capsule

Japanese scientists say the space probe Hayabusa2 has successfully released a capsule which is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.

The capsule is believed to contain sand from a remote asteroid Ryugu. It is heading for a landing in a desert in South Australia.

The project team of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, says the capsule's release took place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Japan time, at a point approximately 220,000 kilometers from Earth.

Cheering broke out in the control room when separation was confirmed.

The capsule is scheduled to enter Earth's atmosphere shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday Japan time, or 4:00 a.m. local time in South Australia. JAXA's team will retrieve it after it lands in a desert there.

If the capsule is successfully recovered, it will mark the second time for Japanese scientists to collect samples from an asteroid. Hayabusa2's predecessor performed a similar mission 10 years ago.

About one hour after the capsule's separation, JAXA scientists began redirecting Hayabusa2 for a new mission, thrusting its engines for an 11-year journey to another asteroid.

The probe is also expected to capture images of the capsule heading toward Earth, and perform other tasks.