Special Project: “One Year Since the Return of Hayabusa2, a Big Exhibition of the Capsule and ‘Fragments’ from Ryugu”＜Miraikan＞

For the first time, we will simultaneously display the following: (1) the capsule of the Hayabusa2, which was on a space probe for asteroids and returned in December 2020; and (2) a portion of the samples that were brought back from the asteroid. We will trace the path of Hayabusa2 and introduce sites for the presently ongoing analysis and research of the samples.

At the end of a space journey that extended about 5 billion and 200 million kilometers, Hayabusa2 succeeded in bringing back to Earth samples of about 5.4 grams, which were collected on the asteroid Ryugu. This time, based upon the cooperation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), we will display the following: (1) "fragments" from Ryugu that are about 1 to 2 millimeters in size; (2) the instrument module in which were stored the parachutes and special containers in which to keep the samples; (3) the on-board electronic equipment section, which can be called the "brains of the capsule"; and (4) a replica of the front heat shield to protect the capsule from heating when entering the atmosphere.

They say that the asteroid Ryugu has been left relatively in its state from the early stages of the solar system. We hope analyzing these samples will allow our understanding of the solar system's origin to move forward. At this exhibition, we will use panels to introduce the latest research results, which have appeared based on early analyses. In addition, we will introduce the efforts of JAXA's expert working group, which is taking on work called "curation," which organizes and categorizes features of the samples that were brought back.

From now on, many researchers will be involved in the analyses of these small samples. Thus, they will perhaps show us new shapes of the solar system.

◆Outline of the event

• Title
  Special Project: "One Year Since the Return of Hayabusa2, a Big Exhibition of the Capsule and 'Fragments' from Ryugu"
• Venue
  Miraikan, the project exhibition zone on the first floor.
• Admission fee
  Just an admission fee for the permanent exhibition (Adults, ¥630; visitors 18 years of age or younger, ¥210; pre-school children, free)
  * On Saturdays, free for visitors 18 years of age or younger.
  * Sales of admission tickets end at 4:30 P.M.
• Cooperation
  Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency （JAXA）