Asteroids Carry Complete Nucleobase Sets

Laboratory analysis of Hayabusa2 samples from asteroid Ryugu found all five primary nucleobases used in DNA and RNA, confirming earlier meteorite and Bennu results and showing subsurface and surface materials both contain them. Different abundances between surface and excavated subsurface suggest nucleobase distributions can trace parent‑body histories. — This strengthens the panspermia‑adjacent argument that space can deliver the chemical precursors of life to Earth, with implications for origin‑of‑life research, planetary protection policy, and priorities for future sample‑return missions.