Hayabusa2 Asteroid Ryugu Samples: A First Look

Japan’s highly anticipated second asteroid retrieval mission, Hayabusa 2, has successfully returned a significant amount of material from asteroid Ryugu, generating considerable excitement among scientists and researchers. While these samples may resemble simple charcoal fragments, they represent authentic material sourced directly from the asteroid’s surface—and include some unexpectedly reflective components.

The Hayabusa 2 spacecraft began its journey in 2014, reaching Ryugu in 2018. Upon arrival, it released several landers to assess the asteroid’s surface characteristics. The following year, the spacecraft itself made a landing, utilizing a specialized device to propel material from the surface, enabling the collection of both surface debris and subsurface samples. Following its extended voyage, the capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere on December 5th and was recovered in the Australian outback.

Despite the flawless execution of the mission, the team remained cautious about the success of sample acquisition until the sealed sample containers were opened in a controlled environment at headquarters. Initial glimpses of the materials were shared via social media, and today JAXA has released all publicly available images alongside detailed explanations and initial findings.

Notably, the “sample catcher” itself contained granular sediment originating from Ryugu. This material, having experienced different environmental conditions compared to the contents within the containers, may exhibit unique characteristics during analysis.

Image Credits: JAXA

Furthermore, sample container C revealed the presence of an “artificial object.” However, the team believes this is likely a fragment of aluminum detached from the spacecraft’s sampling horn during the impact process used to agitate the surface material at the time of landing.

In essence, the object is probably a piece of the probe that was dislodged during the forceful action of impacting the asteroid.

Image Credits: JAXA

The most crucial aspect of the mission is the successful collection of the intended rock samples. Though these specimens are relatively small, comparable in size to pebbles, they are substantial enough to provide insights into the processes that shaped their form and composition. The mission also yielded a wealth of finer-grained dust and soil from beneath the surface, which scientists hope will reveal evidence of organic compounds and water—essential components for life as we understand it.

The mission’s triumph is a cause for celebration, and the team is only beginning to analyze the materials recovered from Ryugu. Further information is anticipated as they meticulously examine these invaluable samples. The Hayabusa 2 Twitter feed is an excellent resource for ongoing updates.