Japanese space probe made a record close flyby of an asteroid
Kyiv • UNN
The Japanese probe Hayabusa-2 made a record close flyby of the asteroid Torifune at a distance of 800 meters. The mission tested precision control technology for future Earth protection.
Japan's Hayabusa-2 space probe successfully flew near the near-Earth asteroid Torifune, testing technology that could one day help protect Earth from dangerous asteroids. This was reported by AFP, citing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), writes UNN.
Details
According to preliminary JAXA estimates, the refrigerator-sized probe flew at a distance of about 800 meters from the asteroid. If confirmed, this would be one of the closest flybys of a spacecraft past an asteroid in history.
Hayabusa-2 was traveling at a speed of over 18,000 kilometers per hour, but its mission did not involve colliding with the asteroid. The main goal was to test whether specialists could control the flight trajectory with extremely high precision. If successful, such technologies could be used to alter the trajectory of potentially dangerous celestial bodies.
Why such an experiment is needed
During the flyby, the space probe's cameras also collected data on the surface, structure, and temperature of the asteroid Torifune. The information obtained will help scientists better understand how to act if, in the future, there is a need to deflect a similar object from a collision course with Earth.
Currently, none of the known asteroids pose a real threat to the planet. After completing this phase of the mission, Hayabusa-2 continued its flight to the next target — asteroid 1998 KY26, which it is scheduled to reach in 2031.