Robot explorer released toward asteroid in Hayabusa2's last mission

Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 released Thursday a robotic explorer, bound for the surface of an asteroid -- the last task for the probe before its return to Earth, Japan's space agency said.The Minerva-II2, a small rover attached to the Hayabusa2, began its descent toward the surface of the Ryugu asteroid at around 1 a.m. Japan time. Its main task will be to research the asteroid's gravity.Observing the explorer's descent to the surface will be the last mission for the probe before it leaves the asteroid in November or December, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.Hayabusa2, which …READ FULL ARTICLE