NEWSONJAPAN

Two years after Hayabusa's challenging but successful return to Earth carrying samples from the Itokawa asteroid, its successor is scheduled to be launched next month to carry out a new mission.

Hayabusa-2 will be launched into space on Nov. 30 to gather rocks and other samples from a crater that will be created on another asteroid. The probe is due to return in 2020.

According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the mission will be the first of its kind.
 
As the first Hayabusa experienced various malfunctions, Hayabusa-2 has been equipped with a range of technological innovations. Observers say the Hayabusa-2 mission will serve as a foundation for Japan's future space explorations and scientific studies in the field.