Key facts
- Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe performed a close flyby of asteroid Torifune on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
- The probe approached within approximately 800 meters of the asteroid.
- The flyby occurred at a relative velocity of 5 kilometers per second.
- This mission is part of the Hayabusa2 Extended Mission, which began after the probe returned samples from asteroid Ryugu in 2020.
- The mission aims to develop technologies for planetary defense, including precise probe control and potential asteroid trajectory alteration.
Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe successfully conducted a close flyby of the asteroid Torifune on Sunday, July 5, 2026. The probe came within approximately 800 meters of the asteroid, traveling at a speed of 5 kilometers per second, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The flyby is part of the Hayabusa2 Extended Mission, which commenced in 2020 after the spacecraft returned to Earth with samples collected from the Ryugu asteroid. During the close approach, the spacecraft's instruments were used to capture images and gather science data.
JAXA stated that the mission aims to acquire technology for precise probe control and maneuvering at high speeds near asteroids. This capability is intended to contribute to planetary defense efforts, which involve potentially altering the trajectories of asteroids that pose a future collision risk to Earth.
Hayabusa2 is continuing its journey toward its next target, asteroid 1998 KY26, where it is expected to arrive in 2031. The mission's success in precise navigation and data acquisition during the Torifune flyby is crucial for future deep space exploration and planetary defense initiatives.