✉news ScienceSpace Policy first seen 17 h ago, last 1 h ago, peak #16
Hayabusa2 Asteroid Probe's Last Working Engine Breaks Down
Original: Last Working Engine of Hayabusa2 Asteroid Probe Breaks Down
Japan's Hayabusa2 asteroid probe has lost its final functioning engine, leaving the spacecraft with no propulsion after a long mission that returned samples from asteroid Ryugu. JAXA is assessing the fault and what it means for the probe's extended mission to visit other asteroids. The probe had already completed its primary goals.
Why now: The loss of the last engine threatens the remainder of the probe's extended mission and marks a major setback for a celebrated Japanese space project.
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