Overview
- Hayabusa2 flew past the near-Earth asteroid Torifune at high speed on Sunday and JAXA confirmed it transmitted a signal after closest approach, indicating the probe was operating normally.
- The agency planned for the probe to pass roughly 800 meters from Torifune’s center and reported a flyby speed of about 5.2 kilometers per second while collecting imagery and other instrument data.
- JAXA released at least one image and said it will publish the full set of observations and explain results at a press briefing on July 6 as teams verify the spacecraft’s exact distance and measurements.
- Scientists say the close observations will reveal Torifune’s surface and internal properties—information that changes how an asteroid would respond to a kinetic deflection attempt.
- Hayabusa2 is operating on an extended mission after its Ryugu sample return and will continue toward a planned rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26 in 2031, with this flyby intended to improve techniques for future planetary-defense missions.