Japan’s Hayabusa2 probe landed successfully Thursday on a distant asteroid for a final touchdown, hoping to collect samples that could shed light on the evolution of the solar system.

“The touchdown is successful,” spokesman Takayuki Tomobe from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) told AFP.

JAXA officials said earlier that the probe appeared to have landed successfully, but confirmation came only after Hayabusa2 lifted back up from the asteroid and resumed communications with the control room.

Support quality journalism - Subscribe to The Hindu Digital

Please enter a valid email address.

Support The Hindu's new online experience with zero ads.

Already a user? Sign In