- Team of experts at recovery site of Hayabusa capsule. Credit: JAXA/Toshiki Hasegawa
Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are ecstatic following the June 13 recovery of their Hayabusa reentry capsule in Woomera, Australia.
Hayabusa was launched on May 9th, 2003 by M-V rocket and operated for approximately seven years.
During its operation, JAXA was able to achieve the difficult mission including Hayabusa’s sample capturing on asteroid Itokawa.
Hayabusa’s return to the Earth overcame a long list of technical hardships.
The recovered Hayabusa capsule will now be jet-shipped to Japan. Within the confines of a curatorial facility, the capsule will be opened.
Will it contain precious bits of asteroid Itokawa?
By Leonard David