Latest news with #Hayabusa2
Forbes
2 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
Life's Building Blocks Likely Formed Close To Earth
This is a colored view of the C-type asteroid 162173 Ryugu, seen by the ONC-T camera on board of ... More Hayabusa2. Filters: vwx date:2018-07-12 08:01 Image level: 2b (Images after hardware correction and radiometric correction). How did life here at home get its first building materials? The onset of life here on Earth likely hinged on the delivery of organic material delivered by water- and carbon-rich asteroids. To date, the argument has been that most of the water and the organics that would build life (including amino acids) originated very far out in our early solar system. But in a paper just published in the journal Nature Communications, lead author, Matthew Genge, a geologist at Imperial College London, and colleagues argue that the building blocks of life had their origins in an intensely turbulent region of space close to our giant planet Jupiter. The findings are based on evidence from samples of carbon-rich asteroid Ryugu, returned to Earth by the Japan Aerospace Agency Hayabusa 2 mission, Imperial College notes. We studied microchondrules ---- tiny pieces of rock from asteroid Ryugu, which is a really carbon and water rich asteroid, the kind of asteroid that probably delivered all the carbon and water for our planet, Genge told me in his office. In that sample, we discovered evidence for a whole new way of making these types of asteroids, he says. Maybe they formed not just at a great distance, but where the early solar system was turbulent and disturbed, says Genge. It's in those places that these carbon and water rich particles are concentrated, he says. The Ryugu specimen that I studied was only one millimeter across, says Genge. To people who study meteorites, that's tiny, but to me it was a boulder, because I'm used to studying things 10 times smaller, he says. Using a scanning electron microscope, the team was able to identify a shockingly large number of microchondrules, tiny spheres originally consisting of glass, that had been altered by water formed when ice melted on the asteroid, says Imperial College. The team identified them by virtue of their sulfide-rims, which could be seen in X-ray CT scans of the mm-sized Ryugu sample, the college notes. Until now, the asteroid Ryugu had been thought to have formed at some 20 to 30 Earth-Sun distances, or out beyond the present-day orbits of Uranus and Neptune. But new scanning electron microscope images that suggest the building-blocks of life originated near Jupiter in our early solar system, rather than from deep space as currently thought, says the imperial college London. There was likely intense turbulence just beyond the orbit of Jupiter in the early Solar System, where gas was stirred up by the wake of the giant planet. Just outside this region was also a pressure bump where mm-sized grains were concentrated by gas flow, Imperial College reports. This Jovian pressure bump was essentially a chondrule factory that concentrated and incorporated this material into asteroids, the college notes. What Melts These Microchondrules? It's still not known but Genge says his favorite hypothesis is that the heat is generated by flash heating caused by random explosive shockwaves that moved through our solar system's young protoplanetary disk. These shockwaves could have caused temperatures in the disk of up to 1900 degrees Celsius, which is hot enough to melt steel. And more importantly, it was hot enough to melt these protoplanetary materials into molten droplets of primitive microchondrules. If you've ever watched a movie with an explosion in it, you've seen an expanding shockwave, says Genge. It's that rapidly moving shell that flash heats the dust to make molten droplets. However, the finest grain dust particles escape most of the heating, so they keep their carbon and water and other organic material. But due to this material's proximity to Jupiter, there was locally an intense amount of disk turbulence which caused rapidly turning eddies of gas. These eddies of gas throw out the big particles and keep the really fine dust, says Genge. Then, if you make an object like an asteroid there, it's mainly fine grained, he says. The fine grains contained carbon and water and critical prebiotic molecules such as amino acids. These and the microchondrules subsequently migrated inward towards the inner solar system and likely predate the formation of our own planet. Yet when Earth did form, the building blocks of life were there waiting to be incorporated into our nascent planet. Illustration of how microchondrules might have formed early in the solar system The Bottom Line? Earth was likely seeded by building blocks of life from both the cold outer regions of our solar system as well as from near our gas giant planet Jupiter. As for what's next? We've now got a really good understanding of where in the solar system these materials come from, says Genge. But over the next twenty years, we're going to sample more unusual asteroids and learn more about the early solar system, he says.
NHK
18-07-2025
- Science
- NHK
Japanese researchers: Rock samples from asteroid oldest found in solar system
Researchers in Japan are claiming a landmark discovery. They say rock samples retrieved from an asteroid are the oldest ever found in the solar system. Japanese space probe Hayabusa 2 brought the samples back from asteroid Ryugu. They measure less than 0.1 millimeters each. The researchers come from institutions including Hokkaido University. They say the rock was formed in high temperatures 4.5673 billion years ago, shortly after the birth of the solar system. They also say the rock is older than Ryugu, which is made of minerals that formed by reacting with water about 4.562 billion years ago. They add that the asteroid was likely formed somewhere farther from the sun. Associate Professor Kawasaki Noriyuki of Hokkaido University says the findings shed light on how raw materials in the solar system behaved and formed astral objects.
Yomiuri Shimbun
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
H2A Rocket: Pass Advanced Technology on to Next Generation
Japan's mainstay large H2A rocket was successfully launched for the model's final flight, concluding its operations. The rocket, which was highly reliable, made a significant achievement as it played an important role that will go down in history as part of Japan's space development. The H2A was jointly developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The first rocket was launched in 2001, and the 50th rocket was used in the latest launch. During this time, the only failure was the sixth launch in 2003, giving the H2A a success rate of 98%. It can be said that this figure is one of the highest for rocket launches. There were only a few major delays in launches, which was another selling point of the H2A, since it was easy for the companies that asked for launches to work out their schedules. Throughout a quarter of a century in operation, the H2A has carried many satellites into space, including the Hayabusa2 probe, which brought back sand samples collected from the surface of an asteroid; the SLIM lander, which was Japan's first successful lunar lander; and government information-gathering satellites. Launching satellites is related to national security. It is becoming increasingly important for Japan to maintain its own rockets for launching satellites, rather than relying on other countries to launch them. It is significant that Japan has maintained its own launch capability with the H2A. On the other hand, the H2A cost about ¥10 billion per launch. Due to its inability to compete on the global market, there have been few contracts with overseas firms. In recent years, the global market for space development has been changing drastically. More companies in the private sector are entering the space business, and there is a growing need to win orders for satellite launches at low prices. The U.S. company SpaceX, which has cratered prices in the rocket launch market, has set the trend. The company's success in developing reusable rockets has led to launches at lower costs and at shorter intervals. The role of the H2A will be taken over by the H3 rocket, which was successfully launched last year. With the H3, the aim is to keep the cost of launches down to ¥5 billion through various measures, including using automobile parts. The frequency of launches will also increase from the H2A's average of about twice a year. Through these improvements, it is hoped that a system will be put in place to receive orders from customers worldwide. It is also essential to map out a strategy that looks beyond the H3. The development of a new engine for the H3 faced difficulties. This is probably because the technology has not been sufficiently passed down to the next generation as a result of the lack of opportunities to develop rockets since the H2A was designed. The development of a successor rocket to the H3 should begin as soon as possible in order to ensure that the technology is passed on to the next generation. Startup companies overseas are pursuing bold development without the fear of failure. Japan, too, must foster a mindset that allows for a certain degree of failure and seeks to increase the speed of development. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 1, 2025)
India Today
30-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Scientists baffled by discovery of unexpected mineral on asteroid Ryugu
The discovery of these salt minerals has broader implications for understanding the role of water. (Photo: Nasa) Hayabusa2 returned samples from asteroid Ryugu providing new mineral insights Djerfisherite found in Ryugu challenges previous formation assumptions Mineral usually forms in reduced environments unlike Ryugu's known conditions The rocks and soil samples from asteroid Ryugu have provided new insights into the nature of primitive asteroids and the formation of the Solar System. A research team from Hiroshima University has identified the mineral djerfisherite, a potassium-containing iron-nickel sulfide, in a sample from this C-type asteroid. This discovery, published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science, challenges existing paradigms since djerfisherite was not expected to form under the conditions present on Ryugu. "Djerfisherite is a mineral that typically forms in very reduced environments, like those found in enstatite chondrites, and has never been reported in CI chondrites or other Ryugu grains," explained Masaaki Miyahara, the study's lead author. This unexpected presence raises questions about Ryugu's formation, suggesting either an unusual environment or a long-distance transport process early in the solar system's history. The presence of djerfisherite suggests the possibility of mixed material formation histories in the early solar system, or that Ryugu experienced distinct, localised chemical conditions. "The discovery of djerfisherite in a Ryugu grain suggests that materials with very different formation histories may have mixed early in the solar system's evolution, or that Ryugu experienced localised, chemically heterogeneous conditions not previously recognised," Miyahara elaborated. A research team at Hiroshima University discovered the presence of the mineral djerfisherite. (Photo: Hiroshima University) Ryugu, a part of a larger parent body formed between 1.8 and 2.9 million years after the solar system's beginning, originated in its outer regions. This parent body contained water and carbon dioxide in ice form. Heating by radioactive decay melted the ice, which generally remained below 50C. This environment contrasts with enstatite chondrites, where djerfisherite is known to form from high-temperature gases. Djerfisherite's formation could result from two processes: intrusion from another source during Ryugu's parent body's formation or intrinsic formation when Ryugu's temperature exceeded 350C. Preliminary evidence favours the intrinsic formation hypothesis, prompting further isotopic studies to explore the origins of this and other Ryugu grains. The next research steps aim to reconstruct the early mixing processes and thermal histories of small bodies like Ryugu. "Ultimately, our goal is to reconstruct the early mixing processes and thermal histories that shaped small bodies like Ryugu, thereby improving our understanding of planetary formation and material transport in the early solar system," stated Miyahara. This discovery not only challenges the current understanding of Ryugu's compositional uniformity but also opens new avenues for research into the complexity and formation of primitive asteroids, potentially reshaping longstanding theories about material transport in the early solar system. The rocks and soil samples from asteroid Ryugu have provided new insights into the nature of primitive asteroids and the formation of the Solar System. A research team from Hiroshima University has identified the mineral djerfisherite, a potassium-containing iron-nickel sulfide, in a sample from this C-type asteroid. This discovery, published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science, challenges existing paradigms since djerfisherite was not expected to form under the conditions present on Ryugu. "Djerfisherite is a mineral that typically forms in very reduced environments, like those found in enstatite chondrites, and has never been reported in CI chondrites or other Ryugu grains," explained Masaaki Miyahara, the study's lead author. This unexpected presence raises questions about Ryugu's formation, suggesting either an unusual environment or a long-distance transport process early in the solar system's history. The presence of djerfisherite suggests the possibility of mixed material formation histories in the early solar system, or that Ryugu experienced distinct, localised chemical conditions. "The discovery of djerfisherite in a Ryugu grain suggests that materials with very different formation histories may have mixed early in the solar system's evolution, or that Ryugu experienced localised, chemically heterogeneous conditions not previously recognised," Miyahara elaborated. A research team at Hiroshima University discovered the presence of the mineral djerfisherite. (Photo: Hiroshima University) Ryugu, a part of a larger parent body formed between 1.8 and 2.9 million years after the solar system's beginning, originated in its outer regions. This parent body contained water and carbon dioxide in ice form. Heating by radioactive decay melted the ice, which generally remained below 50C. This environment contrasts with enstatite chondrites, where djerfisherite is known to form from high-temperature gases. Djerfisherite's formation could result from two processes: intrusion from another source during Ryugu's parent body's formation or intrinsic formation when Ryugu's temperature exceeded 350C. Preliminary evidence favours the intrinsic formation hypothesis, prompting further isotopic studies to explore the origins of this and other Ryugu grains. The next research steps aim to reconstruct the early mixing processes and thermal histories of small bodies like Ryugu. "Ultimately, our goal is to reconstruct the early mixing processes and thermal histories that shaped small bodies like Ryugu, thereby improving our understanding of planetary formation and material transport in the early solar system," stated Miyahara. This discovery not only challenges the current understanding of Ryugu's compositional uniformity but also opens new avenues for research into the complexity and formation of primitive asteroids, potentially reshaping longstanding theories about material transport in the early solar system. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Japan Forward
30-06-2025
- Science
- Japan Forward
H2A Rocket Retires, Capping 25 Years of Excellence
このページを 日本語 で読む Japan's flagship heavy-lift rocket, the H2A, concluded its distinguished career with the successful launch of its 50th and final mission at 1:33 AM on June 29 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. Roughly 16 minutes after liftoff, the rocket deployed the national Earth observation satellite Ibuki-GW into its designated orbit. It marked a flawless end to the H2A's service. Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the H2A first entered operation in 2001. Over its 24-year run, it recorded 49 successes out of 50 launches, achieving a world-class cumulative success rate of 98.0%. With this final flight, the H2A officially retires. It now hands over its role as Japan's primary launch vehicle to the next-generation H3 rocket, which debuted in 2023. The H2A is a two-stage, liquid-fuel launch vehicle measuring approximately 53 meters in length and 4 meters in diameter. Serving as Japan's primary national rocket, it has been entrusted with critical missions, particularly in the field of national security. Throughout its operational life, the H2A completed 50 launches, carrying a diverse range of payloads into space. These included Hayabusa2, which famously returned rock samples from the asteroid Ryugu, SLIM, Japan's first successful lunar lander, and a series of intelligence-gathering satellites for government use. Its early performance was strong, with the first five launches completed without incident. However, in November 2003, the sixth mission ended in failure after a solid rocket booster failed to separate at high altitude. That problem forced ground control to issue a self-destruct command. The failure deeply shook the development team, prompting an exhaustive investigation into its cause. Engineers implemented comprehensive countermeasures, overhauling not just the faulty booster system but the rocket's overall design. They worked relentlessly — through holidays and overnight shifts — to make the necessary improvements. Their dedication paid off with the successful launch of the seventh unit in 2005. From that point forward, the H2A maintained a perfect record, ultimately achieving a remarkable cumulative success rate of 98.0%. Beyond reliability, the rocket also delivered exceptional punctuality. Excluding delays caused by weather, it achieved an on-time launch rate of 82.0%, one of the highest in the world, meaning that most missions lifted off precisely as scheduled without mechanical issues. H2A Launch Vehicle No. 50 being launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, June 29. This outstanding track record allowed the H2A to serve as a pillar of Japan's space program for 25 years. Through disciplined engineering and a culture of continuous improvement, Japan's space industry turned early setbacks into a technological triumph, producing a rocket now regarded as a benchmark of precision and reliability. With 50 launches over a span of 25 years, the H2A holds the longest service record in the history of Japanese rocket development. Its longevity was made possible by its exceptional reliability. Heavy-lift rockets carry satellites and probes that often cost billions, or even hundreds of billions of yen (several billions of US dollars). Such valuable payloads demand a launch vehicle with a proven, consistent track record, which the H2A delivered. Even so, its operational run is coming to a close amid intensifying global competition. Each launch cost approximately ¥10 billion JPY ($63 million USD) — half the price of its predecessor, the H2. However, that was still nearly twice as expensive as competing rockets from abroad. Considering that the H2A was designed more than 25 years ago, its relatively high cost is understandable. However, in today's increasingly competitive space industry, reliability alone is no longer enough. To remain viable in the global launch market, Japan has shifted to the H3 rocket, an evolution of the H2A that retains its trusted reliability while incorporating modern technologies to reduce launch costs to around ¥5 billion ($31.5 million). Over its long career, the H2A showcased Japan's engineering excellence and earned a global reputation for precision and dependability. That legacy now serves as a foundation for the H3, positioning it to secure launch contracts both at home and abroad. Although its service has ended, the H2A leaves behind a profound and lasting impact. It is an enduring symbol of Japan's technological capability and space ambitions. Author: Juichiro Ito, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
