Hayabusa2's Next Target Might Be a Soviet Space Relic, Not a Natural Asteroid
Hayabusa2 is heading toward the tiny, fast-spinning asteroid 1998 KY26, but a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper by Avi Loeb and collaborators speculates the object could be a long-lost Soviet spacecraft from the Phobos 1 mission rather than a natural body. The theory draws parallels in size and shape and notes potentially converging orbits, though the idea remains highly speculative and distant; if true, it could fuel debates about the nature of ‘Oumuamua and prompt scientists to consider man-made objects in searches for unusual space rocks. Awaiting Hayabusa2’s 2031 observations to resolve the mystery.”,