Japanese space probe returns with asteroid samples
First Published Dec 6, 2020, 5:21 PM IST
Hayabusa2, the Japanese space probe tasked with collecting samples from a distant asteroid, has arrived back on Earth. The capsule carrying samples entered the atmosphere just before 2:30 am Japan time (11pm on Saturday).

Scientists hope that samples of both surface dust and material from below the surface that was stirred up when the spacecraft had fired two impactors into asteroid Ryugu, will help understand the origins of the universe.

A few hours after the probe arrived safely near Woomera in Australia, Japanese space JAXA confirmed the samples had been recovered, with help from beacons emitted by the capsule as it plummeted to Earth after separating from Hayabusa-2 on Saturday while the fridge-sized probe was some 220,000 kilometres away.
Today's Poll
How many players do you prefer playing with?