Japan's Hayabusa2 achieves first-ever laser ranging experiment with an asteroid
JAXA's Hayabusa2 spacecraft has successfully performed the first-ever laser-ranging experiment on an asteroid during a flyby of Torifune. This milestone demonstrates advanced navigation and data-gathering capabilities for future deep-space exploration missions.
Why it matters
This achievement enhances the technical capacity for space agencies to study near-Earth asteroids, which is vital for planetary defense and scientific research.
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Add as preferred source Artist's impression of Hayabusa2 firing its ion thrusters. Credit: DLR German Aerospace Center The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa2 spacecraft reached another milestone this summer, a first for space agencies. On Sunday, July 5 , the probe conducted the first successful laser-ranging experiment during a flyby of asteroid Torifune, the first exploration target of Hayabusa2's Extended Mission. This latest milestone will advance the capabilities of JAXA and other space agencies as they pursue future missions involving near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and other deep-space objects.
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