Durability tests of the adhesive characteristics of biomimetic adhesive (Gecko Tape, registered trademark Nitto Gecko®) developed by Nitto Denko Corporation (Headquarters: Osaka; President, CEO & COO: Hideo Takasaki; 'Nitto', hereafter) have begun on the Hayabusa 2 asteroid explorer launched on December 3rd, 2014 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

‹Background / Purpose›
Since its development in 2010, Nitto has been exploring applications of Gecko Tape in unique environments where the use of conventional adhesives is difficult. The adhesive was found to perform precisely and contamination-free in the -150～500℃ temperature range and has been used in this area for analytical purposes, since 2012.

Discussions are underway with JAXA regarding testing applications in space -- a particularly harsh and unique environment. The structure of Gecko Tape makes it suitable for collecting fine particles and handy in analysis using an electron microscope. Gecko Tape was placed on the Hayabusa 2, where its adhesive characteristics and long-term stability in space will be evaluated through the collection of cosmic matter samples, and the analysis and transport of samples which have been brought back to earth.

Hayabusa 2 is scheduled to arrive at the asteroid Ryugu (1999 JU3) in 2018 where it will survey and collect samples. It is scheduled to return to earth at the end of 2020. During this six-year round trip flight into deep space, Gecko Tape will be subjected to durability tests in a separate location from the samples inside the capsule returning to earth. If the durability of its adhesive function is confirmed in the harsh environment of space, we believe that it can also be used reliability in unique environments on earth.

As we look forward towards the next 100 years, Nitto will continue to practice 'Innovation for Customers' in the Green (Environment) / Clean (New Energy) / Fine (Life Sciences) domains and contribute to our customer's value creation.

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