Hayabusa2 flies past asteroid Torifune

Science

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Japan's Hayabusa2 successfully completed a close flyby of asteroid Torifune, passing about 800 meters from the asteroid's center at roughly 6:30 p.m. Japan time to take surface photos and observe with an infrared camera and spectrometer. The probe, located about 100 million kilometers from Earth, autonomously adjusted its trajectory two hours before closest approach and avoided collision while passing at a relative speed of 5 kilometers per second. JAXA will hold a press conference after confirming the actual distance and observation success. The results may inform solar system history studies and improve high-precision control techniques relevant to planetary defense.

Hayabusa2 passed 800 meters from Torifune while collecting imaging and spectral data.