Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa2 is headed back to Earth after 6 years, and 3.3 billion miles. The unmanned mission will drop off a capsule containing Ryugu samples.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) sent the Hayabusa2 and its attached capsule almost 6 years ago.
Similar to the United States, Japan is working towards a public-private partnership through its Space Frontier Fund. The SFF is creating more space-focused venture partnerships.
JAXA prepares a reception in Australia
Scientists are gathering in the Australian desert near the town of Woomera in anticipation of the Hayabusa2 capsule’s arrival on December 6th. The capsule retrieval team members have cleared their two-week COVID-19 quarantine. They are working out of the Woomera Royal Australian Air Force base.
The capsule will create a fireball when it drops into the Earth’s atmosphere. Anticipated temperatures can be up to 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then the parachute will deploy for a landing in the Woomera Protected Area. The capsule will send out a radio signal for the retrieval team to track.
