Japan space probe launches new robot onto asteroid

Japan space probe launches new robot onto asteroid
3OCT2018

A Japanese probe launched a new observation robot towards an asteroid on Wednesday as it pursues a mission to shed light on the origins of the solar system.

The Hayabusa2 probe launched the French-German Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, or MASCOT, towards the Ryugu asteroid's surface, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said.

"We can confirm that the MASCOT separated from the spacecraft as planned," the agency said in a tweet on its official account.

It was not clear how long it would take for confirmation of the robot's safe landing on the asteroid, where it is expected to collect a wide range of data.

More:
https://www.afp.com/en/news/2265/japan-space-probe-launches-new-robot-asteroid-doc-19q1jd1