Originally published December 1 2005
Japan’s Hayabusa satellite set to land on asteroid
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The two planned landings by the Japanese Hayabusa satellite will go ahead despite the loss of two of its three wheels and fuel concerns. The satellite will maneuver to scoop up asteroid samples.
Japan's Hayabusa asteroid sample-return satellite is scheduled to make the first of two landings on its target asteroid Nov. 12 following ground controllers' conclusion that it has enough fuel to finish its job despite the loss of two of its three reaction wheels, the Japanese space agency, JAXA, announced Oct. 31.
Under current planning, a second touchdown would occur Nov. 25 before Hayabusa, whose name was Muses-C before its May 2003 launch, begins a return flight to Earth.
Since Sept. 12, the satellite has been stationed several kilometers from the Itokawa asteroid, which is some 300 million kilometers from Earth.
Hayabusa lost the use of its first reaction wheel in July.
The second failed Oct. 3, forcing increased reliance on the chemical-propellant thrusters to maintain satellite attitude control.
JAXA said Hayabusa project engineers have made "a strenuous" effort to devise a fuel-conservation plan to maintain Hayabusa stably in position and at the same time provide for the two "touch-and-go" maneuvers during which the satellite will scoop up asteroid samples.
JAXA will test Hayabusa touchdown maneuvers Nov. 4 with what the agency calls a "rehearsal descent."
Several candidate landing sites are still being evaluated, JAXA said.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml