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A preliminary study has raised a hypothesis that is drawing the attention of the international scientific community by suggesting that a celestial body scheduled to be visited by the Hayabusa2 mission may not be a common asteroid, but rather a possible artifact created by humans and lost during the Soviet space race.
The information was released by the preprint portal, based on a preliminary scientific study analyzing the object known as 1998 KY26, currently considered the next destination of the extended mission of the Japanese probe Hayabusa2, from the Japanese space agency JAXA.
The hypothesis may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but it is being seriously debated by researchers. The reason is simple: some characteristics observed in the object do not exactly match what scientists expected to find in a natural asteroid.
Although the study’s authors themselves emphasize that there is no definitive conclusion, the possibility that the celestial body has an artificial origin has already sparked international interest and promises to gain more concrete answers in the coming years.
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Hayabusa2 continues on a historic mission after success on asteroid Ryugu
The Hayabusa2 probe has already made history in space exploration after collecting samples from the asteroid Ryugu and successfully sending them to Earth.
In 2020, shortly before this material arrived on the planet, the Japanese space agency announced the extension of the mission and set a new target for the spacecraft: the object cataloged as 1998 KY26.
According to JAXA, it is a long-term mission, lasting over ten years. In addition, scientists have evaluated different strategies for the future encounter, including the release of target markers and even possible landing attempts.
The encounter between Hayabusa2 and 1998 KY26 is scheduled to take place in July 2031.
Until recently, the scientific community treated the object as just another small near-Earth asteroid. However, new observations have begun to raise doubts.
Observations revealed unexpected characteristics of the object
In 2024, an international team used the Very Large Telescope (VLT), belonging to the European Southern Observatory, to conduct a more detailed analysis of the celestial body.
Initially, the researchers were only seeking to confirm previous data related to the size and mass of the object. However, the results were surprising.
According to planetary scientist Toni Santana-Ros, affiliated with the University of Alicante and the University of Barcelona, the object exhibited characteristics very different from previous estimates.
The data indicated that 1998 KY26 is between three and four times smaller than initially thought.
Furthermore, it rotates approximately twice as fast as previous models suggested.
The observations also revealed that the object is about 11 meters in diameter, while the Hayabusa2 probe itself measures approximately 6 meters.
Another factor that drew attention was its unusual brightness.
Scientists identified a significantly higher reflectivity than expected for an asteroid of this type. Later, this characteristic became one of the main arguments used by researchers who support the hypothesis of artificial origin.
Theory suggests connection with the Soviet probe Phobos 1
The most intriguing part of the research emerged when the authors began comparing the current orbit of 1998 KY26 with possible trajectories of the old Soviet probe Phobos 1.
Launched by the then Soviet Union on July 7, 1988, the mission aimed to study Phobos, one of Mars’ moons.
However, the mission suffered a serious problem a few months later.
On September 2, 1988, controllers completely lost contact with the spacecraft.
According to historical records cited by the researchers, the failure occurred after an incorrect sequence of commands was sent to the spacecraft.
The new study suggests that, if certain maneuvers had occurred, it would be possible to align the orbits of Phobos 1 and the current 1998 KY26.
Calculations indicate that only two propulsion maneuvers, totaling a speed change of 1.9 kilometers per second, would be sufficient to produce a compatible trajectory.
According to the authors, this performance would be within the technical capabilities of the Soviet probe.
What supports the hypothesis of artificial origin
In addition to the orbital similarities, the researchers point out other factors that make the theory interesting.
Among them is precisely the high reflectivity observed in the object.
Another relevant point is the fact that the body remains structurally intact despite its rapid rotation.
In many asteroids composed of loose fragments, such a high speed could cause structural instability.
On the other hand, 1998 KY26 appears to maintain its shape.
Scientists also believe that the object is quite elongated, a characteristic inferred from the brightness variations recorded by telescopes.
Even so, the authors of the study themselves highlight that there are alternative explanations.
A naturally more resistant composition or still unknown physical factors could also justify all the observations made so far.
Therefore, the hypothesis remains open.
Definitive answer may arrive in 2031
Despite the repercussion generated by the research, scientists emphasize that the study has not yet undergone the peer review process, a fundamental step in scientific validation.
Therefore, the theory should be regarded as a possibility under investigation and not as an established conclusion.
However, the scenario may change radically in July 2031.
When Hayabusa2 finally reaches 1998 KY26, the mission’s instruments are expected to collect detailed information on the object’s shape, composition, structure, and physical properties.
This data could confirm whether we are facing an extremely unusual natural asteroid or something even more surprising: a possible technological artifact lost in space for more than four decades.
Until then, 1998 KY26 will continue to fuel one of the most curious discussions in modern astronomy.
Do you believe that 1998 KY26 is just an unusual asteroid, or do you think it’s possible that Hayabusa2 will find a human-made object lost in space for decades?
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