#53 The Hayabusa2 Asteroid Ryugu sample return mission. Space rock expert Greg Brennecka joins us for an incredible up-close look at real life asteroid material.

Cosmic Coffee Time with Andrew Prestage

Our favourite space rock expert Greg Brennecka joins us to talk about the amazing Hayabusa2 mission, the sample return mission to asteroid Ryugu by Japanese space agency JAXA. Greg and his colleagues have been analysing the sample and some of the findings are incredible.
What does Ryugu tell us about the early solar system? What do we learn about water on bodies like asteroids? and could Ryugu be carrying enough of the building blocks of life to potentially populate another habitable planet?
It's a fascinating chat.
If you want to learn more about rocks from space, check out Greg's book 'Impact' at Harper Collins here
See Hayabusa2's touch and go sample collection on Ryugu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xnInpqMiG4
Hayabusa2 landed back on Earth at the Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia, December 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek1MRUbJSo8
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