Japan's Hayabusa-2 set a new space record upon reaching the vicinity of Ryugu

• The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa-2 spacecraft achieved another significant milestone in space research by successfully performing a high-speed flyby of the near-Earth asteroid Torifune (2001 CC21) on July 5, 2026.

• During the maneuver, the spacecraft reached a minimum distance of approximately 800 meters from the asteroid's center and passed by at a relative speed of about 5 kilometers per second. Scientists expect to obtain crucial data regarding the asteroid's composition, surface characteristics, and dynamics through this successful flyby.

• Additionally, this mission is considered a significant step toward testing precision navigation and planetary defense technologies in deep space.

• Hayabusa-2 is JAXA's state-of-the-art asteroid sample-return mission.

• It had previously demonstrated its technical capabilities globally by successfully delivering samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth in 2020.

• Following the completion of its primary mission, the spacecraft has remained active under an extended mission, during which it is studying various asteroids.

• This successful flyby of Torifune will further strengthen scientific preparations for future deep-space missions, asteroid exploration, and the assessment of potential space-based threats to Earth.