Will it be possible to find a clue to the birth of the solar system?
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe Hayabusa2 has touched down on its target point on the asteroid Ryugu. The probe is believed to have successfully collected materials such as rocks that flew up when a metal bullet was automatically fired into the surface of the asteroid at the time of landing.
These are superb results. One of the critical points for this challenge has been passed.
Ryugu is a small celestial body that has a diameter of about 900 meters and moves in orbit between the Earth and Mars. Currently, Ryugu is located as many as about 340 million kilometers away from Earth.
It is believed that planets, including the Earth, were formed by the gathering of many asteroids, and carbon and water -- which are materials for the creation of living things -- were also brought about by asteroids.
Asteroids retain the original state of the solar system. Rocks on Ryugu are said to contain carbon in large quantities. If the samples of rocks from Ryugu are analyzed, it will be possible to find a clue to elucidate how the solar system was created and how carbon was carried from cosmic space.
The exploration by Hayabusa2 has great significance for humankind.
Launched in December 2014, Hayabusa2 reached a point above Ryugu last June. The probe was scheduled to land on the asteroid last October. But discovering that there were more rocks than anticipated on the surface where the probe was originally set to touch down, JAXA researchers tried to find a safe landing point and method.
They finally chose an area with a diameter of six meters for landing and the probe successfully touched down there. It can be said that this proved the technical prowess of Japan.
Promote science, space biz
The initial Hayabusa took on the challenge of the world's first mission to collect samples on an asteroid. Launched in May 2003 toward asteroid Itokawa, Hayabusa returned to Earth in June 2010. The probe was hit by a series of problems, including suspension of communications, engine trouble and malfunctions of a sample-collecting device.
Hayabusa's return to Earth after going through extremely adverse conditions moved the people, through such means as a motion picture, but actually at the same time it left behind many lessons to be learned.
For the benefit of the Hayabusa2 mission, the failures of the initial Hayabusa mission were sorted out and experienced engineers from domestic manufacturers exercised their wisdom to improve parts and equipment. The devices manufactured by businesses and universities, which newly took part in the space exploration project, were also installed on Hayabusa2. This teamwork involving the private and public sectors led to success.
Hayabusa2 will remain near Ryugu until the end of this year, attempting to collect samples three times at the most. The space probe is scheduled to return home at the end of 2020. It is hoped that the probe will bring back samples conducive to research.
No doubt the two Hayabusa probes have been boosting the people's interest in space. The people's support for space exploration can be assured only when successful missions are repeated in the future, too.
An increasing number of emerging companies have been entering such sectors as observation-related business that uses small satellites. International competition is fierce, too. It is essential that the results of the exploration projects involving the two Hayabusa probes lead to the promotion of both science and space businesses.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 23, 2019)
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