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
|
|
Senate seeks to add $10 billion to NASA human spaceflight programs
Posted: Sat, Jun 7 10:46 AM ET (1446 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, June 20
Russia to Launch Starlink Rival Later This Year, Roscosmos Chief Says
Moscow Times — 5:56 am ET (0956 GMT) Starlink rival Eutelsat pops 22% as France backs capital raise
CNBC — 5:55 am ET (0955 GMT) The thrill of seeing a rocket launch in this California coastal town
Los Angeles Times — 5:54 am ET (0954 GMT) France to double stake in Eutelsat as Europe looks for rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink
Financial Times — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) Eutelsat Backed By French Government In Capital Raise
Aviation Week — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) |
