09/07/2026 13:51 - Tecnologia
On July 5, 2026, humanity once again marveled at the wonders of the cosmos. The Japanese space probe Hayabusa2, operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), achieved an extraordinary milestone by flying past the asteroid 98943 Torifune. The spacecraft approached an estimated distance of just 800 meters from the surface, traveling at a dizzying speed of over 18,000 km/h.
The images sent back revealed a fascinating surprise: the asteroid features a two-lobed shape, strikingly similar to a snowman. These types of formations, known as contact binaries, occur when two rocky bodies gently collide and are held together by their mutual gravity.
Studying these bodies is essential to understanding the primordial materials that shaped our solar system billions of years ago.
The Hayabusa2 is no stranger to space feats. It was launched in December 2014 and rose to fame by completing its main mission at the asteroid Ryugu in 2020. On that occasion, it managed to bring 5.4 grams of precious samples back to Earth, which are still being analyzed by scientists around the world today.
The success of the mission does not stop at Torifune. The probe is currently on an extended mission filled with hope and discovery. The upcoming milestones in its journey include:
Flyby of Earth to adjust its trajectory.
Arrival and encounter with asteroid 1998 KY26.
Space exploration continues to demonstrate that the universe is full of unexpected wonders waiting to be discovered, inspiring future generations to look to the stars with awe and hope.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
