Japan is testing Hayabusa2 rockets to deflect or destroy missile-like asteroid set to collide with Earth

Japan’s space exploration agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has redirected its Hayabusa2 spacecraft to intercept two distant asteroids, initiating tests for technology capable of diverting an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, as a report by the South China Morning Post.

While JAXA has not confirmed plans to alter the course of the asteroids, experts speculate that interception and course adjustment might occur towards the end of Hayabusa2’s operational life in 2031.

Launched in December 2014, Hayabusa2 initially had a six-year mission to intercept the near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu. After reaching its destination in June 2018, the spacecraft conducted an 18-month survey, collecting samples of debris by firing a pellet into the asteroid’s surface.

The samples were successfully returned to Earth in December 2020.

With its primary mission accomplished, JAXA engineers announced in December 2020 that they would use the remaining xenon propellant to enable Hayabusa2 to perform a fly-by of the asteroid 2002 CC21 in July 2026, followed by a final destination – the asteroid 1998 KY26.

A nearly spherical asteroid, 1998 KY26 is 30 meters in diameter and orbits the sun with a minimum distance to Earth of approximately 374,000 km.

JAXA intends for Hayabusa2 to attach a target marker to the asteroid, gaining insights into the unique physical environment near its surface.

JAXA highlighted the significance of the mission, stating that many asteroids of similar size exist in outer space, with the potential to collide with Earth every 100 to 1,000 years, causing significant damage.

Hayabusa2’s mission serves as a critical first step in a Japanese or multinational effort to develop spacecraft capable of intercepting and deflecting asteroids with Earth-threatening trajectories.

Ground-based observations have limitations, and a closer examination of asteroids like 1998 KY26 and 2002 CC21 will contribute to planetary defence efforts. NASA’s recent success with the Double Asteroid Redirection Test in September, altering the orbital path of an asteroid named Dimorphos, has demonstrated the feasibility of altering the trajectory of larger, easily tracked asteroids.

Lance Gatling, a security and aerospace analyst, suggests that while JAXA has not explicitly mentioned altering the asteroid’s orbit, it wouldn’t be surprising if they attempt it in the future.

He emphasizes the challenging environment and the potential benefits of the data collected for Japan’s aspirations of mining operations on asteroids. The endeavour is seen as a valuable learning experience despite the difficulties posed by the small, rapidly rotating target.

(With inputs from agencies)