Hayabusa 2 Achieves Successful Flyby of Asteroid Torifune

WHO:

Phys.org - JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is involved in the Hayabusa 2 mission.

Sky and Telescope - The Hayabusa 2 mission is associated with Japan.

WHAT:

Phys.org - Hayabusa 2 completed a flyby of asteroid Torifune.

Sky and Telescope - The flyby revealed a "snowman" asteroid, which is a pair of asteroids connected by a narrow neck.

WHERE:

Sky and Telescope - The flyby occurred near asteroid Torifune.

WHEN:

Phys.org - Hayabusa 2 rendezvoused with asteroid Ryugu in June 2018.

Phys.org - The spacecraft studied Ryugu for 1.5 years and returned a sample to Earth in December 2020.

WHY:

Sky and Telescope - The study of the contact binary asteroid could help shed light on planet formation.

HOW:

Phys.org - Hayabusa 2's primary mission involved gathering samples from asteroids.

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 13:31 UTC)

JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, is making headlines with its Hayabusa 2 mission, which recently completed a flyby of asteroid Torifune. This flyby revealed a fascinating "snowman" asteroid, consisting of two connected asteroids, and the study of this contact binary could provide valuable insights into planet formation. Hayabusa 2 previously rendezvoused with asteroid Ryugu in June 2018, where it spent 1.5 years studying the asteroid before returning a sample to Earth in December 2020.