AkaSci 🛰️

@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

SatCom Scientist
Writing occasionally about science, space missions, astronomy, planetary science, satellites, Democracy and human rights.
He/Him
#science #space #technology #astronomy #satcom #Democracy

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AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Lots of hi-quality pics of the World Cup game between Mexico and England at the Azteca.

theguardian.com/football/galle
#WorldCup
22/n

the GuardianWorld Cup 2026: Mexico v England at the Azteca – in picturesThe best pictures from the storm-delayed fixture as both sides look to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup
AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

England-Mexico game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City postponed by 1 hour from 8:00 p.m. EDT to 9:00 p.m. EDT due to rain.

"The rain is starting to fall in the Azteca but spirits remain high. The fans are having a karaoke battle. Mexican pop followed by classic British tunes."

Weather channel forecasts heavy rain for the next 3 hours.
🇲🇽 ⚽ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
theguardian.com/football/live/
#WorldCup
19/n

Pic of the stadium
ALT
AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

First image of asteroid Kamoʻoalewa posted by the Tianwen-2 team.

The image below was taken on July 2, 2026 from a distance of ~20 km.

The spacecraft is probably not in orbit around the small asteroid at this distance, it is just staying close to it.

The scale bar label 10米 means 10 meters.

xinhuanet.com/20260706/eb8cbec
Credit: China National Space Administration
5/n

Image of asteroid 2016HO3 (69219 Kamoʻoalewa)
ALT
AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

To collect rock samples from asteroid 69219 Kamoʻoalewa, Tianwen-2 will employ the touch-and-go sampling technique, used by Japan’s Hayabusa 2 and NASA’s OSIRIS-REx missions. A sampling head with rotating brushes and pressurized gas will be used to collect regolith samples.

In addition, an anchor-and-attach method will be employed, that will use 3-4 robotic arms to latch onto the asteroid’s surface before collecting samples using the touch sampling mechanism.

link.springer.com/article/10.1
4/n

1. Fig. 4 Schematic Diagram of the three sampling methods (Yu et al. 2021). a. Hover sampling, b. Touch sampling, c. Attach sampling 2. Description of attach sampling
ALT
AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Remember Hayabusa2, the plucky JAXA spacecraft that visited asteroid Ryugu in June 2018, scooped up some rock samples and returned them to Earth in December 2020?

It's still out there. It will fly by asteroid Torifune on Sunday July 5, at a relative speed of 5 km/s and a closest distance of 1 km. The data from this flyby will help accurately guide probes to impact and deflect small asteroids in future.

In 2031, Hayabusa2 will rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26.

global.jaxa.jp/press/2026/06/2
2/n

Artist’s illustration of the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer performing the flyby of asteroid Torifune Credit: KESHITA Akihiro
ALT
AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Also, the JAXA Hayabusa2 spacecraft will fly by asteroid Torifune on Sunday July 5. It's objective is to test navigation systems for a future asteroid deflection mission.

See fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/11684163
#Space #Asteroid #Science
3/n

AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Remember Hayabusa2, the plucky JAXA spacecraft that visited asteroid Ryugu in June 2018, scooped up some rock samples and returned them to Earth in December 2020?

It's still out there. It will fly by asteroid Torifune on Sunday July 5, at a relative speed of 5 km/s and a closest distance of 1 km. The data from this flyby will help accurately guide probes to impact and deflect small asteroids in future.

In 2031, Hayabusa2 will rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26.

global.jaxa.jp/press/2026/06/2
2/n

AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

69219 Kamoʻoalewa (aka 2016 HO3) is a small near-Earth asteroid. At present, it is a quasi-satellite of Earth, in an Earth-like orbit around the Sun but remaining close to Earth.

Size: ~40–100 m
Rotation: 28 minutes
Orbit around Sun: 365-366 days
Distance from Sun: 0..9 - 1.1 AU
Distance from Earth: 38 -100 LD (Lunar Distance)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/469219_K
#Science #Space
2/n

Orbit of Kamoʻoalewa in the inner Solar System Credit: Tomruen
ALT
AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

On July 4, the Chinese asteroid sample return and comet exploration mission Tianwen-2 will rendezvous with 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, a quasi-satellite of Earth, 40–100 m in diameter.

Over the next few months, the probe will study and map the asteroid, collect rock samples, deliver them to Earth in Nov 2027, and then continue on to rendezvous with the main-belt comet 311P/PanSTARRS in Jan 2035.

mp.weixin.qq.com/s/97RjX0XCVsY
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianwen-2
#Science #Space
1/n

Graphif of Tianwen 2 and asteroid CNSA https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tianwen-2.htm
ALT
AkaSci 🛰️@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Replying to @AkaSci@fosstodon.org

So, the story was true.

trump did call FIFA president Gianni Infantino to get the suspension of U.S. player Balogun lifted.

Unpresidented!

apnews.com/article/falorin-bal
#WorldCup #UsPol
17/n

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the field after receiving a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)AP NewsFIFA lifts US player Balogun’s red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls InfantinoU.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday.