Japanese scientists, readying to blast a crater in an asteroid to find out what it is made of, say they have successfully tested their new space cannon.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said the huge weapon would fire a metal bullet at the surface of asteroid 1999JU3 some time in 2018.
The Hayabusa-2, which will launch the weapon, will then land on the surface and take samples of the newly-disturbed soil as part of a project searching for organic materials or for any sign of water.
“The Hayabusa-2 project is progressing as planned,” a JAXA spokesman said.
The craft is set to be carried into space next year by one of JAXA’s dedicated H2A rockets, which are launched from southern Japan.
The probe will be flung on a trajectory that its operators hope will take it into the path of 1999 JU3 four years later.