Japanese asteroid probe encounters problems
Posted: Sat, Oct 8, 2005, 12:16 PM ET (1616 GMT)
A Japanese spacecraft approaching an asteroid has lost a key component of its attitude control system, raising questions about its ability to carry out its mission. The y-axis reaction wheel on Hayabusa, a device used to help maintain the spacecraft's proper orientation, failed on October 2, the Japanese space agency JAXA said this week. The spacecraft's x-axis reaction wheel failed in late July. Right now the spacecraft is using its one remaining reaction wheel, along with reaction control thrusters, to orient itself. Spacecraft engineers are studying how to maintain control of the spacecraft in this mode while minimizing the use of thruster propellant. The spacecraft has been in a stationkeeping mode about 7 kilometers from the asteroid Itokawa, and plans to perform two landings, collecting samples to return to Earth; the reaction wheel failures, though, may mean than only one such landing will be attempte
A Japanese spacecraft approaching an asteroid has lost a key component of its attitude control system, raising questions about its ability to carry out its mission. The y-axis reaction wheel on Hayabusa, a device used to help maintain the spacecraft's proper orientation, failed on October 2, the Japanese space agency JAXA said this week. The spacecraft's x-axis reaction wheel failed in late July. Right now the spacecraft is using its one remaining reaction wheel, along with reaction control thrusters, to orient itself. Spacecraft engineers are studying how to maintain control of the spacecraft in this mode while minimizing the use of thruster propellant. The spacecraft has been in a stationkeeping mode about 7 kilometers from the asteroid Itokawa, and plans to perform two landings, collecting samples to return to Earth; the reaction wheel failures, though, may mean than only one such landing will be attempte
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, February 17
Barack Obama clarifies he's seen 'no evidence' of aliens after saying they're real
NBCNews.com — 1:06 am ET (0606 GMT) Musk changes course on Mars quest and shoots for moon – again
The Guardian — 1:05 am ET (0605 GMT) NASA's Artemis II mission to see another wet dress rehearsal this week
Florida Today — 1:02 am ET (0602 GMT) Voyager and ATMOS Accelerate Access to Space
Voyager Space — 1:00 am ET (0600 GMT) Monday, February 16
Artemis II Moon flyby is high-risk test, but crew is ready, Polish ESA doctor says
Polskie Radio — 4:51 am ET (0951 GMT) |
