Japan probe made closest-ever asteroid flyby: space agency
Astrobitica
July 31, 2026 (Last updated: July 31, 2026) 1 minute read
A Japanese probe flew 400 meters (1,312 feet) from a near-Earth asteroid this month, marking the closest approach ever recorded for such a mission, the space agency said.
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #75097](https://astrobitica.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/the-fridge-sized-hayab.jpg)
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #79902](https://astrobitica.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/astronomers-catch-the-4.jpg)
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #79851](https://astrobitica.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/mars-attacks-how-much.jpg)
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #79845](https://astrobitica.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/nasas-lro-images-falco.jpg)