Japanese Probe Snags Asteroid Sample

Space.com ^ | 02/21/2019 | Mike Wall

[Fungi]

So they went to collect rocks, what a little boy does on a walk.

[Simon Green]

So they went to collect rocks, what a little boy does on a walk.

[DBrow]

Hayabusa2’s main goal is to help scientists better understand the solar system’s early history

And they are not prospecting for iridium group metals.

[Larry Lucido]

So they went to collect rocks

And shoot at them!

[Deaf Smith]

To put in ballistic understanding, the 1/2 oz bullet weighed about 87.5 grains.

Would be helpful if they gave us the projectile diameter and muzzle velocity.

[steve86]

I saw a Hayabusa passing traffic at nearly 200 mph.

[Deaf Smith]

The third sampling may be interesting.

They plan to use a copper projectile, which may be in the form of a shaped charge.

Something like a miniature RPG?

[steve86]

“muzzle velocity”

There is no atmosphere to slow it down post-muzzle.

[Simon Green]

I couldn’t find the diameter of the projectile, but Wikipedia says the velocity is 300 meters per second.

So ballistically, it’s a .380 ACP.

[OrioleFan]

Hayabusa2 spiraled down to Ryugu’s surface, fired a 0.2-ounce (5 grams) tantalum “bullet” into the boulder-strewn rock at close range, and collected pieces of the ejected material using its specialized “sampling horn,” JAXA officials said during a press conference this evening.

Isn’t Ryugu a “Gun Free” zone? /sarc

[Simon Green]

There is no atmosphere to slow it down post-muzzle.

There is, however, a rather large rock in the projectile’s way. :-)

[Deaf Smith]

Yeah, like someone would set up a chronograph 10 ft from the muzzle in space. /s

[OrioleFan]

John Kerry fired the shot, was hit by a flying piece of rock, claimed the Space Force first Purple Heart, and promptly threw it over the White House fence when he got home. /sarc

[steve86]

Yes, it seems to be a point blank shot for that initial projectile.

[steve86]

Wouldn’t it have been funny if the projectile bounced off the rock and ricocheted into the capture mechanism leaving the Japanese scientists puzzled.

[mosesdapoet]

first report helps fill in info
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3729542/posts

[spokeshave]

I just hope it doesn't wake up the Ryugugians.

[NonValueAdded]

Well played

[lurk]

People who accomplish space exploration are amazing.