JAPAN — The Hayabusa2 space probe ejected a small carry-on impactor or SCI onto the surface of Asteroid Ryugu a couple of weeks ago, according to NHK News.<br /><br />The impactor would analyze the asteroid's interior. The cone-shaped device was released as the spacecraft was 500 meters above the asteroid. The device is said to have exploded 40 minutes after the launch, NHK News reports.<br /><br />According to a JAXA press release, as soon as the impactor was launched, the Hayabusa2 space probe released a camera to capture images of the explosion.<br /><br />The crater is expected to be around 2 meters in diameter, according to the European Space Agency.<br /><br />The Hayabusa2 spacecraft had previously deployed two rovers that explored Ryugu's surface. They transmitted images and data of the asteroid back to Earth.<br /><br />The probe had also touched down on the asteroid in February to collect rock samples. Hayabusa2 is expected to return to Earth in 2020 with its cargo.
