|
The Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) has announced that its Hayabusa spacecraft is heading back to Earth, despite the failure of thrusters and two of its three reaction wheels. The project team has been working tirelessly to devise a way back home, using the few remaining systems. At one point, resourceful engineers even used pressure from sunlight to stabilise the spacecraft.
On 25 April, the mission controllers fired the ion engine to apply just the right amount of thrust to send Hayabusa back to Earth. Although more challenges no doubt lie ahead, JAXA now expect Hayabusa to arrive back home in June 2010, three years later than its original return date.
Launched on 9 May 2003, Hayabusa finally landed on asteroid Itokawa in November 2005. The spacecraft fired a projectile into the surface of Itakawa and collected the resulting fragments for return to Earth. If successfully, the mission will provide scientists with the first pristine samples of an asteroid.
Hayabusa has already returned stunning images and important science data back to Earth. These data were released to the public on 24 April 2007, allowing scientists around the world to share in the treasures uncovered by the mission.
For hundreds of visitors to the National Space Centre, Hayabusa�s mission has a very personal significance. They are among thousands of people who had their names engraved on a foil sheet that now sits on the surface of asteroid Itokawa. The names were included in the target marker that guided the spacecraft down for its sample collection.
More info: Hayabusa at JAXA
Related News
Hayabusa probe approaches asteroid Itokawa
UK names to land on asteroid
Hayabusa collects asteroid sample
|
