JAXA's Hayabusa 2 Asteroid Ryugu Sample Colonized by Terrestrial Microorganisms, Study Uses Advanced Microscopy

Nov 22, 2024, 08:38 PM

A recent study has revealed that a sample collected from the asteroid Ryugu by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa 2 mission has been rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms. Despite stringent contamination controls implemented during the mission, researchers found evidence of microbial life within what was expected to be a pristine sample. Advanced microscopy techniques were employed to analyze the sample, revealing organic structures that closely resemble those found on Earth. This discovery raises concerns about the challenges of preventing earthly contamination in future space missions, highlighting the need for improved contamination control procedures.