Hayabusa Returns?
The Japanese space agency JAXA doesn't seem to have been having much luck recently. First there was Mars-bound Nozomi spacecraft which suffered a technical fault just after launch in 1998. The mission controllers were able to save the mission by adjusting the course to include two fly-bys of the Earth. This increased the journey duration to about five years meaning that it would reach Mars at the end of 2003. Unfortunately, during the extended trip around the solar system, Nozomi had its electrical systems damaged by a solar flare. So despite the years of effort, ingenuity and tenacity the mission was doomed to fail at the final hurdle.
Fast forward to 2005 when the Hayabusa probe reached asteroid Itokawa. Everything seemed to have gone fine up until arrival. Since then it has survived the failure of several gyro-wheels, the loss of the Minerva probe due to a communications problem and more recently a fuel leak. Hayabusa's mission was to collect samples of the asteroid to return to Earth and it may have indeed collected something when it briefly landed a few weeks ago. However, the partial loss of fuel and a total loss of communication has meant a change of plan for the return journey. Originally it was hoped that Hayabusa would return in 2007 but that is now out of the question. The latest projections show that there is a 66% chance of a recovery in communication by early 2007. If this happens, a revised journey home is planned based on the amount of fuel left. That will take an extra three years arriving back in 2010 if all goes well.
The suggested return journey for the Hayabusa spacecraft. CREDIT: Courtesy of JAXA
Comments: Hayabusa Returns?
It was a very intricate mission that has so far seen much success despite the problems. To intercept an asteroid millions of miles away and even attempt a sample collection is a feat unto itself. It is a shame the mission hasn't gone as planned, but as you point out, there have been missions that haven't gone as well as this one. Such is the way it is in 'pushing the envelope' in space exploration. Much has been learned that will help current and future missions. I hope they are able to return the spacecraft.
Posted by Tom on Monday 19th Dec 2005 (17:48 UTC)
Well the punctuation did not come out so well, but it did make it.
Posted by Tom on Monday 19th Dec 2005 (17:49 UTC)
Sorry if it seemed like a complaint about Hayabusa - I was just trying to put my admiration of the ability of the mission team to deal with adversity in context. Space is very hard.
I fixed the punctuation problems in your comment Tom. I don't know why it went crazy.
Posted by Stuart on Monday 19th Dec 2005 (19:54 UTC)
Snip > Sorry if it seemed like a complaint about Hayabusa <
Oh it didn't, I was just chiming in! Some are though and I get a little enthusiastic about dispelling the idea. :)
Posted by Tom on Wednesday 21st Dec 2005 (01:10 UTC)
Everything is supper I'm waithing to buy it first in my country..:)
Did anybody know when will be avalible for buying to order the Hayabusa1400?
I'm witing for answer on my e-mail i_5ko@yahoo.com adress thx.
Posted by Igor on Wednesday 06th Sep 2006 (11:26 UTC)
I'm not sure what the Hayabusa1400 is. This post was about the Hayabusa spacecraft launched by the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA). I don't think this one is for sale.
Posted by Stuart on Wednesday 06th Sep 2006 (11:30 UTC)