# Hayabusa2 asteroid missions and global efforts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-hayabusa-asteroid-missions > Updated: 2026-07-31T13:36:22.000Z. Sources: 48. Developments: 7. 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. ## Claims - Hayabusa2 flew within 400 metres of the surface of asteroid Torifune on 5 July. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The spacecraft was 744 metres from the centre of the asteroid during the flyby. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The probe traveled at more than 18 000 km/h during the encounter. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The 400‑metre approach is the closest recorded flyby of any spacecraft past an asteroid. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The previous record was held by a Chinese probe that flew within 770 metres of an asteroid’s surface. (corroborated by 7 sources) - JAXA released images showing asteroid Torifune resembles a snowman. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The mission demonstrates the ability to deflect a potentially hazardous asteroid from Earth's path. (corroborated by 7 sources) - JAXA and ESA are planning a planetary‑defence mission to asteroid Apophis, which will pass near Earth in April 2029. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: 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. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-hayabusa2-achieves-record-400metre-flyby-of-asteroid-torifune ### 2026-07-19: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hayabusa2-executes-800metre-flyby-of-asteroid-torifune-testing-autonomous-navigation ### 2026-07-14: 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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-hayabusa2-spacecraft-captures-rare-contact-binary-asteroid-torifune ### 2026-07-11: 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 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hayabusa-2s-close-flyby-of-torifune-and-spains-planned-apophis-landing-highlight-asteroid-research ### 2026-07-10: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hayabusa2-achieves-recordclose-flyby-of-asteroid-torifune ### 2026-07-07: 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 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-hayabusa-missions-study-nearearth-asteroids-itokawa-and-torifune ### 2026-07-05: 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 — 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-hayabusa2-probes-asteroid-torifune-at-800-m-in-planetarydefense-test --- Cite as: Hayabusa2 asteroid missions and global efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-hayabusa-asteroid-missions