In and around the solar system this week
December 5, 2020 9:35 AM Subscribe
Humanity and its machines have been busy finding stuff in space. The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program's Chang'e 5 landed in the Oceanus Procellarum, looked around, collected samples, and fired off a sample-laded return rocket towards an orbiter. (previously)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s Hayabusa2 probe, having recently visited the asteroid Ryugu, is dropping a sample-bearing capsule down to Earth today. (previously)
Astronomers working with the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Gaia probe released a stack of papers based on fresh data about the galactic anticenter.
NASA bought the rights in advance to four companies' planned lunar samples. Meanwhile, NASA's OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) currently orbits the Bennu asteroid. Landing there was touch and go, as was actually shutting the sample container.
SpaceX intended to ship supplies to the ISS today, but had to reschedule due to weather. If they get it off the ground in time, the space station will host two Dragon craft.
Far out in interstellar space, the two Voyager probes were hit by surprise cosmic ray electron bursts apparently hurled from the Sun, more than 14 billion miles away.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s Hayabusa2 probe, having recently visited the asteroid Ryugu, is dropping a sample-bearing capsule down to Earth today. (previously)
Astronomers working with the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Gaia probe released a stack of papers based on fresh data about the galactic anticenter.
NASA bought the rights in advance to four companies' planned lunar samples. Meanwhile, NASA's OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) currently orbits the Bennu asteroid. Landing there was touch and go, as was actually shutting the sample container.
SpaceX intended to ship supplies to the ISS today, but had to reschedule due to weather. If they get it off the ground in time, the space station will host two Dragon craft.
Far out in interstellar space, the two Voyager probes were hit by surprise cosmic ray electron bursts apparently hurled from the Sun, more than 14 billion miles away.
The Hayabusa2 payload having landed in the Outback, Australia is minutely larger and consequently more significant. UN observers are reportedly concerned that China may now redirect the Chang'e 5 payload towards its presence in the Spratly Islands.
[not actually true]
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:59 PM on December 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
[not actually true]
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:59 PM on December 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
Some friends took a picture, too, though not with the best equipment. Scroll to the bottom right for a vaguely disturbing short video.
posted by SunSnork at 3:10 PM on December 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by SunSnork at 3:10 PM on December 5, 2020 [2 favorites]
In the mean time the Hayabusa2 probe has been recovered and the Chang'e-5 has delivered the samples to the cargo capsule in lunar orbit.
posted by charles kaapjes at 12:32 PM on December 6, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by charles kaapjes at 12:32 PM on December 6, 2020 [3 favorites]
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posted by rhamphorhynchus at 10:30 AM on December 5, 2020 [9 favorites]