Reveal Rosetta's opponent

Japanese space scientists have announced the rival of Rosetta: the Hayabusa-2 spacecraft will chase the asteroid and land on the target, take samples and return to Earth.

Hayabusa-2 is expected to launch into space in December during a 4-year journey to the asteroid 1999JU3 .

The prospect of approaching and attacking the asteroid of the new Hayabusa mission - (Photo: JAXA)

When it reached its intended target, around 2018, it would use a heavy cannon to fire metal bullets into the asteroid's surface, while the ship hurriedly fled to the farther part of the celestial body.

Later, Hayabusa-2 turns around and collects the specimen that fired into space during the attack.

If all goes well, important specimens of asteroids will be brought to Earth on the occasion of Tokyo hosting the Olympics in 2020.

According to AFP, the announcement from the Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hayabusa-2 is the descendant of the organization's first spacecraft to explore the asteroid.

In 2010, Hayabusa returned to Earth carrying dust samples after 7 years of mission.

Meanwhile, JAXA's next goal, 1999JU3, is about 1km across, is rated to contain more organic and water than the previous target of Hayabusa.