Hayabusa2 AR Simulator

Hayabusa2 AR Simulator (8th Wall / WebAR) was an educational augmented reality experience developed using 8th Wall WebAR technology to bring Japan’s Hayabusa2 asteroid mission to life in an interactive, browser-based format. The project allowed users to launch the AR simulator directly from a smartphone or tablet web browser without installing an app, overlaying 3D visualizations of the spacecraft and mission events into real-world environments. Through the AR experience, participants could explore key aspects of the mission — such as the spacecraft’s approach, sampling operations at asteroid Ryugu, and its return trajectory — fostering engagement with space exploration and science. By combining advanced WebAR with real mission data and models, the Hayabusa2 AR Simulator provided a compelling way for students, space enthusiasts, and the general public to better understand the achievements of JAXA’s groundbreaking deep-space mission.