Japan’s sample return asteroid probe limping toward home
Artists depiction of Hayabusa at the asteroid.
Japan’s Hayabusa space probe, which visited an asteroid and scooped up sample material may not make it back to earth.
Launched in May 2003, the spacecraft uses some amazing experimental ion thrusters, which have been failing one by one. It is now down to a single thruster which is in questionable shape. Whether or not it will be able to provide the needed acceleration to return to earth is unknown.
That said, Hayabusa has already had an incredible mission. In November 2005, it landed on the asteroid Itokawa. After a half an hour or so, it took off, becoming the first vehicle ever to take off from an asteroid. The spacecraft sent back images and other data about the asteroid. That was before the thrusters went crazy.
In any case, Hayabusa may (or may not) actually have sample material from the asteroid—even this is inconclusive right now. If it ever gets back to our neighborhood, and drops it’s sample-return pod into our atmosphere, we may find out.
The vehicle’s return to earth is now scheduled for June 2010.
