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7 clusters · 48 sources · 26 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 11 days ago

Hayabusa2 asteroid missions and global efforts

Overview

JAXA confirmed that on 5 July 2026 Hayabusa2 executed an 800‑metre close fly‑by of near‑Earth asteroid Torifune at about 5.3 km s⁻¹ (≈ 17 700 km/h), using its ONC‑T camera, NIRS3 spectrometer, TIR imager and LiDAR. The high‑resolution images revealed a bilobate, “snow‑man” shape and identified the body as a contact binary formed when two smaller asteroids merged millions of years ago.

On 31 July 2026 the probe passed within 400 m of Torifune’s centre (≈ 744 m from the centre), setting a new record for the closest spacecraft fly‑by and surpassing the previous Chinese record of 770 m. Black‑and‑white telescope images reaffirmed the snow‑man appearance. JAXA scientist Yuya Mimasu said the maneuver demonstrates the capability to divert potentially hazardous objects, while the autonomous navigation system proved it could shorten the approach phase to under a kilometre.

During this fly‑by Hayabusa2’s laser LIDAR performed a world‑first surface measurement, further confirming the probe’s precision navigation. The fly‑by data are being downlinked for detailed analysis of surface temperature contrasts and silicate‑rich composition, information that could inform future planetary‑defence strategies. JAXA plans an Earth‑gravity assist in 2027‑28 before targeting the 11‑metre object 1998 KY26 in 2031. The achievement follows NASA’s 2022 kinetic‑impact test on Dimorphos and precedes a joint JAXA‑ESA mission to study asteroid Apophis during its 2029 close approach, reflecting growing international interest in asteroid monitoring and defence technology.

Entities

Torifune · European Space Agency (ESA) · Hayabusa2 · Yuya Mimasu · Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 7 SOURCES] Hayabusa2 flew within 400 metres of the surface of asteroid Torifune on 5 July.
[● 7 SOURCES] The spacecraft was 744 metres from the centre of the asteroid during the flyby.
[● 7 SOURCES] The probe traveled at more than 18 000 km/h during the encounter.
[● 7 SOURCES] The 400‑metre approach is the closest recorded flyby of any spacecraft past an asteroid.
[● 7 SOURCES] The previous record was held by a Chinese probe that flew within 770 metres of an asteroid’s surface.
[● 7 SOURCES] JAXA released images showing asteroid Torifune resembles a snowman.
[● 7 SOURCES] The mission demonstrates the ability to deflect a potentially hazardous asteroid from Earth's path.
[● 7 SOURCES] JAXA and ESA are planning a planetary‑defence mission to asteroid Apophis, which will pass near Earth in April 2029.

Timeline

11 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 11 sources
Japan's Hayabusa2 probe achieves record 400‑metre asteroid flyby
Hayabusa2 flew within 400 m of asteroid Torifune on 5 July 2026, setting a record flyby distance, beating a Chinese probe’s 770 m record, and demonstrated planetary‑defence capability.
23 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Hayabusa2 Executes 800‑metre Flyby of Asteroid Torifune, Testing Autonomous Navigation
Hayabusa2 flew within 800 m of asteroid Torifune at 19 000 km/h, using autonomous navigation to capture detailed images and test rapid‑response capabilities.
28 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft captures rare contact binary asteroid Torifune
Hayabusa2 flew close to asteroid Torifune, revealing it as a rare contact binary formed by a slow collision, offering new insights for planetary science and defense.
about 1 month ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Hayabusa 2's Close Flyby of Torifune and Spain's Planned Apophis Landing Highlight Asteroid Research
Hayabusa 2’s close flyby of asteroid Torifune and Spain’s upcoming Don Quijote landing on Apophis underscore expanding asteroid research, while a new study links ancient impacts to early‑Earth hydrothermal life
about 1 month ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Hayabusa2 achieves record‑close flyby of asteroid Torifune
Hayabusa2 flew within 10 km of asteroid 98943 Torifune on 5 July 2026 at ~5 km/s, testing precise navigation and gathering data on the contact‑binary’s composition for future planetary‑defence missions.
about 1 month ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
Hayabusa2 flies within 1 km of asteroid Torifune, demonstrating defence tech
Hayabusa2 flew within about 1 km of asteroid Torifune on 5 July 2026, using multiple instruments to capture images and thermal data, demonstrating JAXA’s planetary‑defence capabilities and paving the way for a
about 1 month ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 25 sources
Hayabusa2 flyby of asteroid Torifune validates planetary‑defense test
Hayabusa2 flew within 800 m of asteroid Torifune on 5 July 2026, capturing snowman‑shaped images and infrared data, demonstrating precise navigation for planetary‑defence and paving the way for a 2031 mission —

Sources

anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · ascendwrestling.com · asiae.co.kr · assodigitale.it · best-tv.gr · cash-online.de · chip.com.tr · cursorinfo.co.il · dentroilvajont.focus.it · elespectador.com · evreninsesi.com · expresdiario.com.ar · eyyubiye63.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · friendsofnasa.org · generation-nt.com · gizmodo.es · glasistre.hr · hotnews.ro · iefimerida.gr · ipadizate.es · it-boltwise.de · japantoday.com · keeptrack.space · kosmonauta.net · liner.hu · m.olhardigital.uol.com.br · mondo.rs · n1info.hr · netcost-security.fr · on.interia.pl · passioneastronomia.it · quebradatech.blogosfera.uol.com.br · sapo.pt · sarajevo-x.com · skiingadventure.com · spacemedia.jp · staiattento.com · stv.seoul.co.kr · tech.wp.pl · techgear.gr · tecnoandroid.it · theregister.com · thessnews.gr · udgtv.com · universetoday.com · vanguardia.com.mx · wired.jp

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history