Japan's Hayabusa2 probe has successfully dropped two space rovers onto the surface of the asteroid Ryugu. The two robots, named MINERVA-II1A and MINERVA-II1B, will explore the surface by hopping, rather than with wheels, due to the low gravity, and will gather data which will help scientists learn about the early solar system. Hayabusa2 is scheduled to drop the larger lander MASCOT on the asteroid's surface Sept. 20 and Sept. 21.
Japan's Hayabusa2 probe has successfully dropped two space rovers onto the surface of the asteroid Ryugu. The two robots, named MINERVA-II1A and MINERVA-II1B, will explore the surface by hopping, rather than with wheels, due to the low gravity, and will gather data which will help scientists learn about the early solar system. Hayabusa2 is scheduled to drop the larger lander MASCOT on the asteroid's surface next month.