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The near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu, the target of Hayabusa2 space mission, was observed via both orbiter and the lander instruments. The infrared radiometer on the MASCOT lander (MARA) is the only instrument providing spectrally resolved mid-infrared (MIR) data, which is crucial for establishing a link between the asteroid material and meteorites found on Earth. Earlier studies revealed that the single boulder investigated by the lander belongs to the most common type found on Ryugu. Here we show the spectral variation of Ryugu's emissivity using the complete set of in-situ MIR data and compare it to those of various carbonaceous chondritic meteorites, revealing similarities to the most aqueously altered ones, as well as to asteroid (101955) Bennu. The results show that Ryugu experienced strong aqueous alteration prior to any dehydration. Spectral characteristics can be used to link asteroid and meteorite materials. Here, the authors show in-situ mid-infrared data of a boulder on asteroid Ryugu, compared with laboratory spectra of various meteorites, indicate that Ryugu experienced strong aqueous alteration prior to dehydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to use light detection and ranging (LIDAR) to detect dust grains that might be present around asteroid (162173) Ryugu (1999 JU), the target of the Hayabusa2 mission. LIDAR is currently used for observing atmospheric aerosols on Earth by measuring the time profile of the return pulse (received light). In the case of Hayabusa2, LIDAR will be used only to determine whether the energy flux of the return pulse exceeds a certain threshold every 133.33 ns. This simplification significantly reduces the amount of down link data. The profile of the return pulse is estimated from iterative observations by changing the thresholds. Here, the performance of the dust counter mode is examined using a breadboard model, a flight model, and an engineering model. For these tests, we develop a new testing device to simulate various time profiles of the return pulse. We also estimate the lower bound of the number density of dust grains that can be detected. It is shown that the LIDAR on board Hayabusa2 is capable of detecting asteroidal dust if dust grains with size similar to the Hayabusa sample exist around the target body and their number density exceeds $10^{5}~\mbox{m}^{-3}$ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hayabusa2 was launched on 3 December 2014 on an H-IIA launch vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center, and is, at the time of writing, cruising toward asteroid 162137 Ryugu ( $1999\mathrm{JU}_{3}$ ). After reaching the asteroid, it will stay for about 1.5 years to observe the asteroid and collect surface material samples. The light detection and ranging (LIDAR) laser altimeter on Hayabusa2 has a wide dynamic range, from 25 km to 30 m, because the LIDAR is used as a navigation sensor for rendezvous, approach, and touchdown procedures. Since it was designed for use in planetary explorers, its weight is a low 3.5 kg. The LIDAR can serve not only as a navigation sensor, but also as observation equipment for estimating the asteroid's topography, gravity and surface reflectivity (albedo). Since Hayabusa2 had a development schedule of just three years from the start of the project to launch, minimizing development time was a particular concern. A key to shortening the development period of Hayabusa2's LIDAR system was heritage technology from Hayabusa's LIDAR and the SELENE lunar explorer's LALT laser altimeter. Given that the main role of Hayabusa2's LIDAR is to serve as a navigation sensor, we discuss its development from an engineering viewpoint. However, detailed information about instrument development and test results is also important for scientific analysis of LIDAR data and for future laser altimetry in lunar and planetary exploration. Here we describe lessons learned from the Hayabusa LIDAR, as well as Hayabusa2's hardware, new technologies and system designs based on it, and flight model evaluation results. The monolithic laser used in the laser module is a characteristic technology of this LIDAR. It was developed to solve issues with low-temperature storage that were problematic when developing the LIDAR system for the first Hayabusa mission. The new module not only solves such problems but also improves reliability and miniaturization by reducing the number of parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a nucleotide sequence of asparagus virus and compare it with other potexviruses. Following the pairwise analyses of all the encoded proteins, it is proposed that AV3 should be regarded as a distinct species in the genus Potexvirus and that it be renamed asparagus virus X for convenience of identification.

Without a protective atmosphere, space-exposed surfaces of airless Solar System bodies gradually experience an alteration in composition, structure and optical properties through a collective process called space weathering. The return of samples from near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2 provides the first opportunity for laboratory study of space-weathering signatures on the most abundant type of inner solar system body: a C-type asteroid, composed of materials largely unchanged since the formation of the Solar System. Weathered Ryugu grains show areas of surface amorphization and partial melting of phyllosilicates, in which reduction from Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ and dehydration developed. Space weathering probably contributed to dehydration by dehydroxylation of Ryugu surface phyllosilicates that had already lost interlayer water molecules and to weakening of the 2.7 µm hydroxyl (-OH) band in reflectance spectra. For C-type asteroids in general, this indicates that a weak 2.7 µm band can signify space-weathering-induced surface dehydration, rather than bulk volatile loss., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2022.)