(CNN) A Japanese space probe has successfully fired a "bullet" into an asteroid as part of a mission to collect rock samples from the celestial body.

The projectile disturbed material from the exterior of asteroid Ryugu which then floated from its surface due to the weak gravitational field.

These particles were successfully collected by the probe, according to Japan's space agency JAXA, which announced that the Hayabusa 2 craft had successfully touched down on on the asteroid on Friday morning Japanese time.

JAXA scientists had expected to find a powdery surface on Ryugu, but tests showed that the asteroid is covered in larger gravel.

As a result the team had to carry out a simulation to test whether the projectile would be capable of disturbing enough material to be collected by what scientists call a "sample horn," which protrudes from the underside of the probe.

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