Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Credit: JAXA/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Japan’s Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer is slated for a December 6^th jettison of its space rock-stuffed re-entry capsule, samples gathered during its intensive investigation of asteroid Ryugu.

Artist impression of Hayabusa2’s re-entry capsule heading to its landing spot in Australia.
Credit: JAXA

The re-entry capsule will parachute to Earth in South Australia, touching down within the Woomera Prohibited Area.

Hayabusa2 control room during re-entry rehearsal.
Credit: JAXA

A capsule separation dress rehearsal was completed today, report Hayabusa2 ground controllers, with the spacecraft now returned to its original state.

Recovery team

In related news, on November 1, the first capsule recovery team of 14 members reached Adelaide. As a measure against the coronavirus, the group will move to the Woomera Desert after two weeks of on-site quarantine.

Hayabusa re-entry capsule with tiny collection of asteroid Itokawa particles touched down in Australia in June 2010.
Credit: JAXA

“It has been 6 years since the launch and 10 years since development began and it is emotional to finally be here,” a recovery team member tweets. “In Australia in the Southern Hemisphere, we will be working under the scorching midsummer sun. In addition, we are contending with issues surrounding the coronavirus, but we want to safely collect the capsule and return it to Japan to show to everyone.”

Australian decision-making

Today’s capsule separation rehearsal also involved the participation of the Australian embassy, with the Australian side connected to the Hayabus2 control room to share information.

During re-entry day, Australian authorities may be required to take an active role in decision-making regarding capsule re-entry and landing, so this step was also confirmed during the rehearsal.

The Hayabusa2 project is under the auspices of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).