A small capsule streaks into Earth’s atmosphere in this artist’s concept, bringing rocks and dirt from the surface of the asteroid Ryugu. Part of the Hayabusa 2 mission, the capsule is scheduled to parachute to a landing in Australia on December 5. In addition to gathering samples, Hayabusa 2 compiled a thorough photographic atlas of the asteroid and deployed several small rovers, which hopped across the surface. The bulk of the spacecraft (top left) will fly past Earth and take aim at another asteroid. [JAXA]
Find out more in our radio program entitled Hayabusa 2.