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
|
|
Thursday, September 17
U.S. Puts Its Orbital Weapons On The Record
Aviation Week — 12:11 am ET (0411 GMT) Wednesday, September 16
The US says it has launched ‘space control weapons’. It plays into the hands of its enemies
The Conversation — 12:53 am ET (0453 GMT) The Pentagon must prepare for battles around the moon: Joint Chiefs chair
Defense One — 12:52 am ET (0452 GMT) US says for 1st time it now has weapons in space. What we know (so far)
USA Today — 12:52 am ET (0452 GMT) New US Space Weapon Adds to Arsenal to Counter Russia, China
Bloomberg News — 12:52 am ET (0452 GMT) |
