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JAXA's Asteroid Explorer to Return in December

Technology Science Kanagawa Kanto

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says its asteroid explorer will return to Earth from its mission this December. Hayabusa 2 has been collecting sand and rocks from an asteroid to try and discover the origins of life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gXJU9i1XS4

The spacecraft explored the asteroid Ryugu and began its return journey last November. Hayabusa 2 will deliver a capsule filled with sand, rocks and other materials taken from Ryugu to a desert in southern Australia. Scientists will then analyze the specimens in an attempt to discover new scientific discoveries like the origins of life.