# Minerva II Rover-2

> Hayabusa2 carried three MINERVA-II rovers, which actually use internal rotating masses to "hop" across the surface. The Minerva II Rover-2 (ULULA) was the third of these to be deployed

**Wikidata**: [Q112971922](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112971922)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/minerva-ii-rover-2

## Summary
The Minerva II Rover-2 (also known as ULULA) was one of three MINERVA-II rovers carried by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, designed to "hop" across the asteroid's surface using internal rotating masses. It was the third of these rovers to be deployed.

## Key Facts
- Launched on December 3, 2014, from Tanegashima using an H-IIA launch vehicle
- Classified as a robotic spacecraft with COSPAR and NSSDC ID 2014-076J
- One of three MINERVA-II rovers deployed by Hayabusa2
- Uses internal rotating masses to "hop" across the surface
- Also known by aliases including MINERVA-II2 Rover-2 and MinervaIIRover2

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Minerva II Rover-2?
A: It was designed to explore the surface of an asteroid by "hopping" across it using internal rotating masses.

### Q: When was the Minerva II Rover-2 launched?
A: It was launched on December 3, 2014.

### Q: What was its unique mobility method?
A: It used internal rotating masses to "hop" across the asteroid's surface.

## Why It Matters
The Minerva II Rover-2 represented an innovative approach to asteroid exploration, demonstrating the feasibility of small robotic rovers that could traverse the rough, uneven terrain of an asteroid. As part of the Hayabusa2 mission, it contributed to our understanding of asteroid geology and surface properties, providing valuable data about the composition and structure of celestial bodies beyond Earth. The "hopping" mechanism represented a significant advancement in small spacecraft mobility technology, offering a potential solution for future planetary exploration missions where traditional wheeled rovers might struggle with extreme terrain.

## Notable For
- One of the first rovers to use internal rotating masses for mobility on an asteroid
- Part of the Hayabusa2 mission that successfully returned samples from an asteroid
- The third of three MINERVA-II rovers deployed by the spacecraft
- Demonstrated the capability of small robotic systems to operate autonomously on extraterrestrial surfaces

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Minerva II Rover-2 was designed with internal rotating masses that provided thrust for its "hopping" motion across the asteroid's surface. This mechanism allowed the rover to overcome obstacles and traverse uneven terrain that would have been difficult for traditional wheeled rovers.

### Deployment Sequence
The rover was deployed as part of the Hayabusa2 mission's surface exploration phase. It was the third of the three MINERVA-II rovers to be deployed, following the successful deployment of the first two rovers. Each rover was designed to operate independently and collect data about the asteroid's surface characteristics.

### Mission Context
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft, launched from Tanegashima on December 3, 2014, carried the MINERVA-II rovers as part of its comprehensive asteroid exploration mission. The rovers were deployed at different locations on the asteroid to gather diverse data about its composition and geological features.

### Mobility Mechanism
The "hopping" capability was achieved through the use of internal rotating masses that created thrust when rotated. This mechanism provided the rover with the ability to move across the asteroid's surface despite the lack of atmosphere and the presence of rough terrain. The internal rotating masses allowed for precise control and maneuverability in the microgravity environment of the asteroid.