Japanese spacecraft 'bombs' asteroid in scientific mission
by Justin McCurry in Tokyo from on (#4CH3T)
Scientists hope samples from Hayabusa 2 will provide clues about origins of life on Earth
A Japanese spacecraft has "bombed" a speeding asteroid 187m miles (300m km) from Earth in an attempt to retrieve material that could offer scientists new clues about the origins of life on the planet.
The Hayabusa 2 probe released the device - called a small carry-on impact - on Friday as it hovered 500 metres above the asteroid Ryugu, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).
Continue reading...