First Photos From Successful Japanese Space Probe Robot Landing on Asteroid

After patiently waiting for their target asteroid to complete its rotation scientists monitoring the progress of a Japanese spacecraft confirmed that two small robots have successfully reached the surface of asteroid Ryugu and are now sending back images of their new home.

Japan's Hayabusa 2 probe was launched in December 2014, and arrived in orbit around asteroid 162173 ‘Ryugu' in June. Two small ‘rovers' MINERVA-II 1A and MINERVA-II 1B have been deployed.

Astronomers with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have confirmed that the landing of the two tiny robots was successful and that both devices are fully functioning.

— Lucille Le Corre (@Callichore) September 22, 2018