(162173) 1999 JU3

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(162173) 1999 JU3 is an asteroid of the Apollo - type, which was discovered on 10 May 1999 under the LINEAR project. The asteroid is extensively observed by the Arecibo Observatory and the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex.

(162173) 1999 JU3 was selected as the primary target for the Japanese Hayabusa - 2 mission to be launched in 2014 or 2015. When Marco Polo mission of ESA as part of its Cosmic Vision program, he is also among the possible targets.

Interesting

The asteroid (162173) 1999 JU3 is especially interesting for researchers, because it consists of little modified, 4.5 billion years old material. In addition, measurements of the earth show made ​​that the rock of the asteroid is possibly even come into contact with water.