A sample that will help to unravel some of the mysteries of our Solar System is now on display at the Australian Space Discovery Centre.

In December 2020, Australia and Japan collaborated to successfully return samples from Ryugu to Woomera in South Australia as part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Hayabusa2 mission.

Today, a sample of that study from asteroid Ryugu became the Discovery Centre's latest exhibit.

We were honoured to welcome today the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC to unveil this exhibit from the Hayabusa2 mission along with Dr Masaki Fujimoto, Director General of JAXA’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science — the science institute of Japanese space agency. 

Together they unveiled this remarkable feat for space science, which has been provided to Australia by Japan.

A group of people
Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo and Dr Fujimoto at the Australian Space Discovery Centre.

Bringing Hayabusa2 home

To mark the occasion, the Australian Space Agency released a short film to showcase the special partnership between Australia and Japan to successfully bring Hayabusa2 home.

Our department recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.

We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.