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Japanese space rocket 'self-destructs' after launch fails

It was Japan's first failed launch in nearly two decades, and the only one for an Epsilon rocket, a solid-fuel model that has flown five successful missions since its 2013 debut.

Japan scientists find 'clues to origin of life on Earth' in asteroid dust

Researchers discovered "amino acids and other organic matter" in dust from the asteroid Ryugu, adding weight to a theory that life on Earth was brought from outer space.

Japan's Hayabusa2 probe makes second asteroid landing

The spacecraft on desolate asteroid Ryugu, some 300 million km from Earth, is on a mission of collecting samples in hopes of finding clues to the origin of the solar system.

Japanese spacecraft drops observation device onto asteroid Ryugu

The German-French Mascot lander which was released from the unmanned spacecraft Hayabusa2 will analyse the asteroid's surface properties, collect samples and send back to researchers on Earth.

Japan's spacecraft arrives at Ryugu asteroid to collect samples

The unmanned Hayabusa2 spacecraft will spend about two months looking for suitable landing places on the uneven surface.