Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national space agency, responsible for the country's space exploration and aeronautics research. JAXA is currently newsworthy due to its ongoing mission involving the Hayabusa2 space probe. Recently, Hayabusa2 performed a close fly-by of the near-Earth asteroid Torifune. This maneuver was a critical test of technology designed to potentially deflect dangerous space rocks, demonstrating JAXA's commitment to planetary defense. The probe, described as being the size of a fridge, successfully executed this trial run, flying within 800 meters of the asteroid. This development highlights JAXA's significant role in international space science and its proactive efforts to mitigate potential extraterrestrial threats to Earth.