Japanese space agency JAXA to land Hayabusa2 space probe in South Australian Outback this year after asteroid voyage
The first sub-surface asteroid sample to ever be brought back to Earth will land in Woomera in December, after a deal between the Australian and Japanese space agencies.
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Japan’s space agency will land a capsule carrying samples from a 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid in the South Australian Outback later this year.
JAXA has been given the green light to land its Hayabusa2 capsule near Woomera in December.
It comes just months after Australia and Japan signed an agreement for closer co-operation on space.
It will be the second time JAXA has landed a capsule in the SA desert.
The Hayabusa2 will contain the first sub-surface asteroid sample to be returned to Earth.
Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews, who officially signed off on JAXA’s request this week, said: “This landing will enable scientists to gain insights into the origin and evolution of the solar system, including organic matter and water, which could hint at how our oceans came to be.
“It also reinforces Australia’s place as a trusted partner in space, as we look to triple the size of the local sector and create 20,000 new jobs by 2030.”
The capsule is expected to land in the Woomera Prohibited Area on December 6.
It has been in space for 5½ years on a mission to study the Ryugu asteroid and to collect samples to bring back to Earth for analysis.
Australian Space Agency boss Megan Clark said the Hayabusa2 project was an “exciting mission” and would be important for expanding Australian collaboration with Japan on space.
“We have been supporting JAXA by co-ordinating efforts across the commonwealth and South Australian Government to plan for the sample capsule’s recovery and return to Japan,” Dr Clark said.
JAXA president Hiroshi Yamakawa said the approval was “a significant milestone” and thanked the Australian government for its co-operation.
The first Hayabusa mission was also linked to SA, with the original capsule landing near Woomera in 2010.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe signed a deal for closer co-operation on space last month.
