Hayabusa2 is a Japanese spacecraft developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), launched in 2014 with the mission of exploring the asteroid Ryugu. Its primary goal was to retrieve samples from the asteroid’s surface and subsurface, providing unprecedented insights into the early solar system and the formation of planets. This mission was a follow-up to JAXA’s earlier Hayabusa mission, which brought back samples from the asteroid Itokawa.
Design and Construction
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft was designed to be highly adaptable and capable of performing complex tasks such as landing on and returning from an asteroid in the harsh conditions of space. Its body was constructed with lightweight materials, primarily aluminum alloy, designed to minimize weight while providing durability. The spacecraft was outfitted with a solar array for power generation, making it self-sufficient for its long mission to and from Ryugu. The spacecraft’s design also featured a sample collection system that allowed it to retrieve surface and subsurface material by firing a projectile to expose fresh material beneath the asteroid’s surface.
One of the unique engineering challenges during its development was ensuring the sample collection mechanism worked in the low-gravity environment of an asteroid. Another challenge was maintaining communication with Earth over vast distances while performing complex maneuvers. Hayabusa2 overcame these challenges by integrating ion propulsion systems for efficient long-distance travel and a sophisticated autonomous navigation system for precise asteroid landing.
JAXA engineers also had to ensure that Hayabusa2 could withstand the harsh conditions of deep space, including extreme temperature fluctuations and radiation. The spacecraft was designed to operate with solar panels for energy, which had to remain functional despite the distance from the Sun. Additionally, the integration of multiple small rovers, including MINERVA-II and MASCOT, presented another layer of complexity. These rovers were designed to explore Ryugu’s surface independently, gathering critical data about the asteroid’s composition and terrain.
Mission Objectives
The primary mission objective of Hayabusa2 was to collect samples from the asteroid Ryugu, which is a near-Earth object and thought to be rich in carbonaceous material that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system. The spacecraft was tasked with landing on Ryugu multiple times to retrieve samples from both the surface and the subsurface. A key goal was to analyze these materials to better understand the conditions and processes that existed during the early formation of planets and organic matter.
One of the secondary objectives was to deploy a series of rovers on Ryugu’s surface to conduct in-situ analysis. These rovers, MINERVA-II and MASCOT, were designed to measure the asteroid’s surface temperature, magnetic field, and mineral composition. Additionally, Hayabusa2 had the objective of demonstrating new space technologies that could be applied to future missions, including its ion propulsion system, its sampling mechanism, and its autonomous navigation system for landing on low-gravity bodies. Another ancillary goal was to observe the changes caused by the small impactor used to create an artificial crater, providing insights into Ryugu’s subsurface composition.
Launch and Deployment
Hayabusa2 was launched on December 3, 2014, from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan aboard a H-IIA rocket. The launch was smooth, and the spacecraft was successfully deployed into space, beginning its journey toward asteroid Ryugu. The mission was notable for its use of an ion propulsion system, which enabled it to make the long journey to Ryugu in a fuel-efficient manner.
Upon arrival at Ryugu in June 2018, Hayabusa2 initiated its primary mission of mapping and studying the asteroid from orbit before descending to the surface for sample collection. Over the course of the mission, Hayabusa2 made several critical landings, including one where it fired a projectile to expose subsurface material for sampling. Another key event was the successful deployment of MINERVA-II and MASCOT rovers, which sent back valuable data about the asteroid’s surface.
A significant milestone in the mission occurred when Hayabusa2 created an artificial crater using its small impactor. This event provided access to fresh material beneath the asteroid’s surface, crucial for understanding the asteroid’s composition. Following the completion of its mission at Ryugu, Hayabusa2 returned to Earth, releasing its sample capsule on December 6, 2020. The sample retrieval was successful, marking a historic achievement in asteroid exploration.
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: Main structure: 1.0m x 1.6m x 1.4m / Paddle span: 6.0m
- Mass: Approximately 600kg
- Payload Capacity: Around 15 kg of scientific instruments and sample collection mechanisms.
- Propulsion System: Four ion thrusters, with a total specific impulse of approximately 3,000 seconds, enabling long-distance space travel.
- Power Source: Solar panels generating about 2.6 kW of power.
- Instruments:
- ONC-T (Optical Navigation Camera): Used for imaging and navigation.
- LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): Measures the distance to the asteroid’s surface.
- Sampler Mechanism: For collecting surface and subsurface material.
- DCAM3 (Deployable Camera): Captures images of the impactor experiment.
- MINERVA-II and MASCOT Rovers: For surface exploration and data collection.
Current Status
Hayabusa2 improved on its predecessor with enhanced technology, focusing on detailed surface analysis, sample retrieval, and returning material to Earth. Notably, Hayabusa2 successfully returned its samples in December 2020, marking a major milestone in planetary exploration. It was also the first spacecraft to deploy multiple rovers on an asteroid’s surface. The mission’s success has significantly contributed to our understanding of asteroids and their role in the evolution of the solar system.
As of 2024, Hayabusa2 has completed its primary mission of returning samples from Ryugu and remains in excellent operational condition. After the successful return of its sample capsule in December 2020, JAXA repurposed the spacecraft for an extended mission known as the Hayabusa2 Extended Mission (HEM). The spacecraft is now en route to explore additional asteroids, with a planned flyby of 2001 CC21 in 2026 and a rendezvous with the asteroid 1998 KY26 in 2031. This extended mission is focused on further testing Hayabusa2’s ion propulsion system and gathering more data on the characteristics of different types of asteroids.
