Japan's Hayabusa2 asteroid probe's last working ion engine malfunctions

TOKYO - Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe has suffered a malfunction in the last of its working ion engines, an official of the country's space agency said Friday, adding that it aims to continue the asteroid mission by combining the probe's remaining operational functions.

The problem arose in mid-August, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will assess whether the probe, which is on an extended mission after returning samples from asteroid Ryugu to Earth, will be able to reach its new asteroid target 1998 KY26 in 2031 as planned, the official said.