
- This event has passed.
Webcast Link Added
HAYABUYSA 2 FIRST ATTEMPT TO RETRIEVE SAMPLE, Feb 21, 2019, Asteroid Ryugu, 6:00 pm ET (8:00 am Feb 22 Japan Standard Time) Webcast
Event Navigation
Update, February 21, 10:20 am EST: JAXA reports that Hayabusa2 is on its way down to Ryugu. It will webcast the sample-grab attempt from 4:45 – 7:15 pm EST today (6:45-9:15 am February 22 in Japan) at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeMwAdquDYM
Original Entry: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA’s) Hayabusa2 asteroid sample return spacecraft will make its first attempt to obtain a sample of the asteroid Ryugu on Feb 21-22, 2019.
Touchdown will take place at 8:00 am February 22 Japan Standard Time , which is 6:00 pm February 21 Eastern Standard Time.
The spacecraft arrived at Ryugu last fall and three tiny landers were deposited on the surface, but this will be the first time a sample will be obtained.
The touchdown operation to collect a sample from Ryugu will be between February 20th – 22nd. Hayabusa2 is scheduled to begin the descent from February 21, and touchdown on the surface of Ryugu around 8am on February 22 (JST). It is the pinnacle of the mission!
— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) February 6, 2019