Hayabusa2 - The Next Asteroid Sample Return Mission of Japan

Abstract

Hayabusa2 mission has started as the follow-on mission of Hayabusa. The target asteroid is 1999 JU3, which is a C-type asteroid. The scientific purpose is to study the formation and evolution of the solar system, especially to study the organic matter and water, which existed in the early stage of the solar system formation. The engineering is also important and the spacecraft will be much more robust and reliable with some new technological challenges. The launch of Hayabusa2 is planned at the end of 2014, arriving at the asteroid in the middle of 2018, and it comes back to the earth at the end of 2020. At present, the flight model is under manufacturing.