Japanese asteroid probe returning to Earth
Posted: Tue, Jun 8, 2010, 7:01 AM ET (1101 GMT)
A Japanese spacecraft that overcame numerous technical problems to study an asteroid is on final approach to return to Earth this weekend. Hayabusa adjusted its trajectory slightly earlier this month, putting the spacecraft on course for a reentry over Australia on June 13. The spacecraft carries a sample return capsule designed to land at the Woomera range in Australia. Scientists hope that capsule carries samples from the asteroid Itokawa, which the spacecraft visited in 2005. However, the spacecraft sample collection mechanism didn't work as planned, although scientists hope it was able to collect some dust or larger pieces of the asteroid. That problem was one of many that Hayabusa suffered during its mission, including thruster problems and communications outages. If successful, though, Hayabusa would be the first mission to return a sample from an asteroid.
A Japanese spacecraft that overcame numerous technical problems to study an asteroid is on final approach to return to Earth this weekend. Hayabusa adjusted its trajectory slightly earlier this month, putting the spacecraft on course for a reentry over Australia on June 13. The spacecraft carries a sample return capsule designed to land at the Woomera range in Australia. Scientists hope that capsule carries samples from the asteroid Itokawa, which the spacecraft visited in 2005. However, the spacecraft sample collection mechanism didn't work as planned, although scientists hope it was able to collect some dust or larger pieces of the asteroid. That problem was one of many that Hayabusa suffered during its mission, including thruster problems and communications outages. If successful, though, Hayabusa would be the first mission to return a sample from an asteroid.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA proposing to spend up to $1 billion on ISS deorbit tug
Posted: Sat, Mar 18 10:37 AM ET (1437 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, March 20
If China attacks Taiwan, war could start in space: Pentagon
Taiwan News — 6:48 am ET (1048 GMT) The venture-backed rocket industry is finally coming back to Earth
Quartz — 6:45 am ET (1045 GMT) No hope of UK rocket launch until 2024 after Virgin Orbit failure
The Daily Telegraph — 6:44 am ET (1044 GMT) Cornwall Council responds to Virgin Orbit ‘pause’
Falmouth (UK) Packet — 6:44 am ET (1044 GMT) Japan’s budding space program grounded by persistent setbacks
Japan Times — 6:41 am ET (1041 GMT) |
