Japan’s Hayabusa2 Starts Trip Home From Asteroid Ryugu

Goodbye, asteroid Ryugu: Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft is heading back to Earth with its asteroid samples. (Photo Credit: HAYABUSA2@JAXA / Twitter)

Japan’s Hayabusa2 is saying goodbye to asteroid Ryugu: After a year-and-a-half of analysis, the spacecraft and its asteroid samples are heading back to our planet.

Hayabusa2 departed from the asteroid on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 10:05 a.m. Japan time, according to a tweet from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The spacecraft snapped photos of the massive space rock as it left and it will continue taking photos over the next five days, Engadget reported.

「さよならリュウグウ」
Goodbye Ryugu

After the applause, Project Manager Tsuda murmured a goodbye that sounded both affectionate and a touch lonely.

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) November 13, 2019

Asteroid Ryugu captured with the Optical Navigation Camera – Telescopic (ONC-T) immediately after departure. Image time is 10:15 JST (onboard time). This is a familiar sight, but realising that we can’t see it soon is sad! pic.twitter.com/QC18B1u1re

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) November 13, 2019

In August, the Hayabusa2 packed up its space rock cargo to prepare for the return journey to Earth. These samples, which will be studied once they’re sent back to our planet, may provide clues on the origin of the inner planets and how organic compounds and water played a role in the formation of Earth.

The images from Hayabusa2’s “Farewell Observation” is also displayed in the control room. This is a camera that continues to take scientifically valuable photographs, but this time the photos are being taken for everyone to enjoy. https://t.co/Po5PaHsJ9i pic.twitter.com/uUgz1X5WIv

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) November 13, 2019

The spacecraft is expected to flyby Earth in December 2020 and once it’s in close proximity to our planet, it will drop the asteroid samples in sealed containers. It’s unclear how this operation will go down, however, they’re expected to safely land in Australia. From there, Hayabusa2 will travel to its second asteroid target.

More on Geek.com:

• Japan’s Hayabusa-2 Sends Target Markers to Asteroid Ryugu
• Japan’s Hayabusa-2 Probe Packs Up Space Rock Cargo From Asteroid Ryugu
• Japan’s Hayabusa-2 Grabs Second Sample From Asteroid Ryugu

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