JAXA - Hayhabusa2 Mission patch.
Dec. 6, 2020
On December 6, 2020, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has recovered the body of the capsule, the heat shields, and the parachute of the "Hayabusa2" re-entry capsule in the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA).
Hayabusa2 capsule returns to Earth
Tomorrow, the capsule recovery team will extract gas out of the capsule at the operation headquarters in Australia. Researchers considered the gas originates from the precious sample from Asteroid Ryugu.
Reentry of Hayabusa2's sample capsule
After the capsule separation, the spacecraft performed trajectory correction maneuvers three times every 30 minutes to depart from the Earth's sphere from 15:30 to 16:30 on December 5 (JST). The Hayabusa2 team members confirmed the trajectory correction maneuvers' success at 16:31 on the same day (JST). The current status of the spacecraft is normal.
Hayabusa2 capsule returns to Earth
We take this opportunity to show our deepest gratitude to the governments of Australia and Japan, NASA, and relevant parties for their cooperation in the recovery of the "Hayabusa2" re-entry capsule. Our appreciation extends to the people of Japan and the world for their generous support and encouragement.
Related article:
Successful Separation of Hayabusa2 Re-entry Capsule
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/12/successful-separation-of-hayabusa2-re.html
Related Links:
Hayabusa2 Project: http://www.hayabusa2.jaxa.jp/en/
Asteroid Probe Hayabusa2 (ISAS): http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/current/hayabusa2.html
Asteroid Explorer "Hayabusa2": http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sas/hayabusa2/index.html
Tick given for asteroid samples to land in Australia（Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Australian Goverment）: https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/karenandrews/media-releases/tick-given-asteroid-samples-land-australia
Images, Video, Text, Credits: National Research & Development Agency/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/Hayabusa2 Collection Team M/SciNews.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
