Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

muriel_volestrangler

(101,315 posts)

3. Asteroid capsule located in Australian desert

Reply to Princess Turandot (Original post)

Sat Dec 5, 2020, 08:12 PM

Dec 2020

Link to tweet

Screaming towards Earth at 11km/s, it deployed parachutes to slow its descent. The capsule then began transmitting a beacon with information about its position.

The spacecraft touched down on the vast Woomera range, operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.

At around 18:07 GMT, the recovering team identified where the capsule had landed. A helicopter, equipped with an antenna to pick up the beacon, took to the air shortly afterwards to hunt for the container.

Link to tweet

The capsule is now being taken to a "quick-look facility" for inspection before being airlifted to Japan.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55201662

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Earlier tonight, Japan's Hayabusa-2 spacecraft paid a call on Earth to drop off its box of rocks... [View all] Princess Turandot Dec 2020 OP

Cool! Thx. Interestingly shaped asteroid, too. electric_blue68 Dec 2020 #1

Wowie. Thank you. n/t Judi Lynn Dec 2020 #2

Asteroid capsule located in Australian desert muriel_volestrangler Dec 2020 #3

Hayabusa-2: Capsule with asteroid samples in 'perfect' shape nitpicker Dec 2020 #4