AI Summary

Hayabusa2 performed its first laser‑ranging experiment on July 5 during a flyby of asteroid Torifune, the initial target of its extended mission. The probe used its LIDAR laser altimeter (LALT), derived from the Kaguya lunar orbiter’s LIDAR, to measure distance, density, porosity, surface reflectance and possible levitating dust. The experiment builds on LALT’s prior role in navigating the spacecraft and mapping Ryugu’s topography, expanding JAXA’s capability for future near‑Earth asteroid and deep‑space missions.

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