Japanese spacecraft approaches Earth to drop asteroid samples

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft above the asteroid Ryugu. The Japanese space agency said Friday they are all set for the spacecraft′s final approach to Earth this weekend to deliver a capsule containing valuable samples of a distant asteroid that could provide clues to the origin of the solar system. Picture: ISAS/JAXA via AP, File

A Japanese spacecraft is on its intended trajectory, space agency officials said, as it approaches Earth to deliver a capsule containing samples from a distant asteroid that could provide clues to the origin of the solar system and life on Earth.

Hayabusa2 left the asteroid Ryugu, about 180 million miles away, a year ago. The capsule is to be released 136,700 miles away in space and land in a remote, sparsely populated area of Woomera, Australia, on Sunday.