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ScienceQuiet 10d · day 16

Hayabusa2 conducts first-ever laser ranging on asteroid Torifune

Japan's spacecraft successfully fired a laser at an asteroid during a high-speed flyby, marking a space-agency first.

newest coverage 10d agosummary written 10d ago6 pieces MastodonNewswiresGoogle NewsReddit

What to know

  • Hayabusa2 successfully fired a laser at asteroid Torifune on July 5, 2026, marking the first laser-ranging experiment on an asteroid by any space agency.
  • The LIDAR altimeter instrument measured distances and gathered data on density, porosity, surface reflectance, and dust particles despite the spacecraft traveling at 5.3 km/s.
  • The capability advances planetary defense by enabling precise orbital predictions and collision-risk assessment for near-Earth asteroids.

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Space agency operating Hayabusa2Hayabusa2 Spacecraft

Hayabusa2 conducts first-ever laser ranging on asteroid Torifune
universetoday.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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  1. 1

    Achievement highlighted as advancing asteroid exploration capabilities

    JAXA and other space agencies' capabilities for future near-Earth asteroid missions are expected to advance from this successful demonstration, with implications for planetary defense and orbital prediction.

    “On Sunday, July 5, the probe conducted the first successful laser-ranging experiment during a flyby of asteroid Torifune, the first exploration target of Hayabusa2's Extended Mission.”
    — JAXA, Space agency · source
    • hypeav@mastodon.social

      JAXA’s Hayabusa2 completes first laser-ranging experiment during an asteroid flyby - By Matthew Williams https://www. universetoday.com/articles/jap ans-hayabusa2-achieves-first-ever-laser-ranging-experiment-with-an-asteroid More: https:// hype.aero/cluster/japans-hayab usa2-achieves-fir/83290a1a-fd20-40c9-8764-d401ff58bb31/

      hypeav@mastodon.socialMastodon15d agoview on Mastodon ↗
  2. background

    Details of laser-ranging experiment published — Coverage reveals that Hayabusa2's LALT instrument—adapted from JAXA's Kaguya lunar orbiter—was designed to measure distances, asteroid density and porosity, surface reflectance, and dust particles. The laser struck areas of 30 and 23 meters on Torifune's surface, requiring precise attitude and trajectory control during the high-velocity encounter.

  3. background

    Hayabusa2 fires laser at asteroid Torifune during flyby — JAXA's Hayabusa2 spacecraft conducted the first successful laser-ranging experiment on an asteroid, firing its LIDAR altimeter instrument twice at asteroid Torifune—the first exploration target of Hayabusa2's Extended Mission—at distances of approximately 20 km and 15 km during a flyby at 5.3 km/s.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 1 outlet Hayabusa2 Just Made Space History With a First Laser Experiment Around an Asteroid

    first by The Daily Galaxy, 11d ago

    1 more headline