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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, March 29
HawkEye 360 Establishes International Advisory Board to Support Allied Security Partnerships
HawkEye 360 — 7:53 am ET (1153 GMT) Unseenlabs Expands Its Space-Based RF Constellation with BRO-19 Launch
Unseenlabs — 7:52 am ET (1152 GMT) The Mars Society Applauds NASA’s Ignition Initiative: A Bold Step Toward the Moon and Beyond
The Mars Society — 7:50 am ET (1150 GMT) FCC Plan for Reliable Spectrum Access for Cutting-Edge Space Missions
FCC — 7:49 am ET (1149 GMT) HTS Market Set to Reach $76B as Industry Enters Terabit Era
Novaspace — 7:47 am ET (1147 GMT) |
