Thruster problem puts Hayabusa return in jeopardy
Posted: Wed, Nov 30, 2005, 7:19 AM ET (1219 GMT)
A problem with the thrusters on Japan's Hayabusa asteroid spacecraft appears more serious than previously thought and could prevent the spacecraft from returning any samples it collected to Earth. Project officials said that one of two sets of thrusters is suffering from a propellant leak, while the other is suffering from a different problem, and may be frozen. Hayabusa needs to use the thrusters to depart from the vicinity of the asteroid Itokawa and enter a trajectory that brings it back to Earth in mid-2007. Hayabusa has suffered a number of technical problems during its mission, but managed to overcome them last weekend and successfully touch down on the surface of the asteroid and collect samples for return to Earth. Engineers have until mid-December to correct the thruster problem and allow the spacecraft to return to Earth in 2007.
A problem with the thrusters on Japan's Hayabusa asteroid spacecraft appears more serious than previously thought and could prevent the spacecraft from returning any samples it collected to Earth. Project officials said that one of two sets of thrusters is suffering from a propellant leak, while the other is suffering from a different problem, and may be frozen. Hayabusa needs to use the thrusters to depart from the vicinity of the asteroid Itokawa and enter a trajectory that brings it back to Earth in mid-2007. Hayabusa has suffered a number of technical problems during its mission, but managed to overcome them last weekend and successfully touch down on the surface of the asteroid and collect samples for return to Earth. Engineers have until mid-December to correct the thruster problem and allow the spacecraft to return to Earth in 2007.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Senate seeks to add $10 billion to NASA human spaceflight programs
Posted: Sat, Jun 7 10:46 AM ET (1446 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, June 17
U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO on leave; CFO assumes duties
Huntsville Times — 12:26 am ET (0426 GMT) Blue Origin schedules next human flight from West Texas
KTSM-TV El Paso — 12:25 am ET (0425 GMT) Blue Origin Sets June 21 For 13th Crewed New Shepard Launch
Aviation Week — 12:25 am ET (0425 GMT) Yes, that light show was from a SpaceX launch
Los Angeles Times — 12:24 am ET (0424 GMT) Latest SpaceX launch from Vandenberg seen in Las Vegas sky
KSNV-TV Las Vegas — 12:23 am ET (0423 GMT) |
