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
|
|
Blue Origin announces new upper stage and engine for New Glenn
Posted: Sat, Nov 7 12:07 PM ET (1707 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 14
ISRO’s Participation in the Thirtieth Session of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee
ISRO — 6:32 am ET (1132 GMT) Ohio astronaut Michael Gernhardt explored both extremes of human reach
Columbus Dispatch — 6:29 am ET (1129 GMT) BAE Systems selected as a mission-enabling space technologies partner for NASA PRIMA astrophysics program
PR Newswire — 6:28 am ET (1128 GMT) This Four-Person NASA Crew Spent Over a Year on ‘Mars.’ Here’s What They Did for 378 Days in a Simulated Martian Habitat
Smithsonian Institution — 6:26 am ET (1126 GMT) Senate Panel Moves Along NASA ’27 Budget Request With Slight Hike
Aviation Week — 6:25 am ET (1125 GMT) |
