In Historic First, Scientists Have Landed Rovers On an Asteroid and They’re Transmitt
 

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/in-h...n-an-asteroid/

[quote] Scientists have just made history by landing the world’s first unmanned drones on an asteroid.

On September 21st, researchers from Japanese space agency JAXA successfully deployed and landed two rovers on the surface of the Ryugu asteroid.

The two robots are now transmitting pictures and information of their surroundings as “the world’s first man-made object to explore movement on an asteroid’s surface.”


The robots, named Rover-1A and Rover-1B are both collectively known as Minerva-II1.


The first image that was transmitted by Rover-1A depicts its dizzying deployment from the Hayabusa2 spacecraft rotating. In the bottom left corner of the image, you can see the surface of the Ryugu asteroid.


The second photo that was released by JAXA shows Rover-1B’s immediate deployment from the spacecraft.


The third photo was taken while Rover-1A was hopping around the surface of the 1-kilometer-wide space rock.

Scientists believe that asteroids contain a treasure trove of information about the solar system’s evolution and history. The two drones will be collecting samples and data from above and below the surface of Ryugu until their scheduled return to Earth in 2020.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/wp-c...eroid-JAXA.jpg
“I cannot find words to express how happy I am that we were able to realize mobile exploration on the surface of an asteroid,” said Yuichi Tsuda, Hayabusa2 project manager. “I am proud that Hayabusa2 was able to contribute to the creation of this technology for a new method of space exploration by surface movement on small bodies.”

Takashi Kubota, spokesperson for the Hayabusa2 project, added: “The good news made me so happy.


“The image taken by MINERVA-II1 during a hop allowed me to relax as a dream of many years came true. I felt awed by what we had achieved in Japan. This is just a real charm of deep space exploration.”
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/wp-c...eroid-JAXA.jpg

Awesome. Strange how quiet our media are considering what wide coverage the Rosetta/ Philae mission got.:hmmm:

Those charlatans are a bit distracted at the moment. Presidents and Judges to crucify don't ya know.

Fabulous post, mate :up:

Rover-1A and Rover-1B ? Very creative. I would have called the two Bruce and Willis.

Or Major and Tom.

Pretty amazing. Outstanding actually. :salute:

One might even call this

(puts on sunglasses)

Far out. :D

I wasn't aware our media did that....I'm not from the US....:hmmm:

I'd prefer Ricky and Lucy.

Cheech & Chong

Does this mean that the two rovers will leave the asteroid and return to earth? That is way cool

What makes that possible achievement even more galling is how Japan, and some other countries are pulling off some major and impressive space accomplishments while NASA has to pretty much go begging; maybe that will change if China is successful in its planned lunar landing...














<O>

You get a small glimpse of China and how they will accomplish things, if you read Cixin Liu's 'Three body problem'. They stop at nothing. Just saying.

No. Rover1A and B, MASCOT and Rover 2 (Hayabusa 2 carries 4 rovers/landers) will all be left on the rock. Hayabusa 2 itself will land on the rock after they shoot a 2.5kg copper 'bullet' at the surface to expose the subsurface material, this will be recorded by a deployable camera Hayabusa 2 leaves behind before 'heading for cover'.

Hayabusa 2 will then gather samples and head off to Earth.



Hayabusa 2 is currently making it's second descend towards Ryugu to deploy the MASCOT lander (expected tomorro or on Thursday).
Navigation images from Hayabusa 2 are added here every 30-ish minutes:
http://www.hayabusa2.jaxa.jp/en/gall...c/nav20181002/




Photo of the surface of the asteroid taken by Hayabusa 2 from an altitude of 64m:
https://i.imgur.com/YSuHGKQ.jpg