Hayabusa2: Scientific importance of samples returned from C-type near-Earth asteroid (162173) 1999 JU(3)

摘要

Hayabusa2 is an asteroid exploration mission to return surface samples of a near-Earth C-type asteroid (162173) 1999 JU(3). Because asteroids are the evolved remnants of planetesimals that were the building blocks of planets, detailed observation by a spacecraft and analysis of the returned samples will provide direct evidence regarding planet formation and the dynamic evolution of the solar system. Moreover, C-type asteroids are expected to preserve the most pristine materials in the solar system, a mixture of minerals, ice, and organic matter that interact with each other. Space missions are the only way to obtain such pristine materials with geologic context and without terrestrial contamination.