Space & Aeronautics

Japan’s Hayabusa2 unmanned asteroid probe will be back in orbit around Earth and release a capsule believed to be containing samples from the asteroid Ryugu on Dec. 6, science minister Koichi Hagiuda said Tuesday.

Japan's MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings will begin offering a service to analyze the risks climate change pose to companies, Nikkei has learned.

A laser beam in outer space that sends orbiting debris to a fiery end in the Earth's atmosphere may soon be a reality. SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. said it is developing a satellite that can shoot down space junk ranging from old, abandoned satellites to rocket parts still orbiting the Earth.

A simulation of how substances essential for living creatures were formed on Earth reinforces the theory that life started after meteorites rained down on the planet.

Japanese space startup Astroscale said Wednesday that it has acquired an Israeli startup that aims to carry out maintenance on satellites in orbit, a move heralding its expansion into an emerging field of space services.

Japan’s Kounotori 9 unmanned cargo spacecraft successfully docked to the International Space Station at 3:25 a.m. Tuesday.

The rocket engine roared to life with a burst of bright orange flame, firing at 70% of full power for five seconds in a test that featured fuel used to power much of the planet but not harassed to reach outer space: liquefied natural gas.

The asteroid Ryugu used to pass far closer to the sun, even closer than Mercury, an analysis of images shot by Japan's Hayabusa 2 space probe reveals.

Japan's Mio space probe now en route to Mercury to study its origin and evolution took advantage of Earth's gravity for a swing by to take a farewell photo of home.

Photos showing it whizzing far above Earth were also taken on April 10.

The probe, created and operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is expected to enter Mercury's orbit in December 2025.

Japanese electronics company NEC has won a 20 billion yen deal ($190 million) to supply a radar satellite to Vietnam, highlighting an advantage traditional players have over startups in these times of economic crises.