Japan’s Hayabusa2 Probe Enters ‘Safe Mode’ After Glitch: What This Means for Asteroid-Sampling Mission in Deep Space

The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa2 has recently entered a protective “safe mode” during its journey through space. This comes after its successful delivery of asteroid samples from Ryugu to Earth in December 2020, a significant achievement for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) that has excited scientists worldwide.

After its sample return mission, Hayabusa2 began an extended mission to explore another asteroid, 1998 KY26, which it’s set to reach by 2031. However, its journey isn’t without challenges.

On March 21, Hayabusa2 detected an unusual issue and switched to safe mode to protect its systems. JAXA reported on social media that while communications with the spacecraft remained stable, teams on Earth were actively investigating this anomaly’s impact on the extended mission. However, there have been no further updates since the initial announcement.

Hayabusa2 has been operating in space for over a decade, having launched in December 2014. It rendezvoused with Ryugu in June 2018, spending about 18 months studying the asteroid. During that time, it deployed small rovers, landed, and took samples. The spacecraft successfully returned these samples to Earth, landing in Australia’s Woomera Prohibited Area in November 2019.

As JAXA looks into Hayabusa2’s current situation, it is also preparing for its next big adventure. In 2024, Japan plans to launch the MMX Mars moon sample return mission, which aims to collect about 10 grams of material from Phobos, one of Mars’ moons, and bring it back to Earth. This ambitious project emphasizes JAXA’s commitment to exploring the cosmos and furthering our understanding of the solar system.

The interest surrounding Hayabusa2’s journey highlights a broader trend in space exploration, with many nations now investing in similar projects. As technology advances, the possibilities for discovering more about distant asteroids and planets continue to expand.

For more updates on space missions and the latest in aerospace research, you can visit the [Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency](https://www.jaxa.jp) for reliable information.

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