[meteorite-list] Hayabusa To Start Return Trip To Earth in Mid April

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 16:47:49 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <200704042347.l34NlnU20817_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.jaxa.jp/topics/2007/04_e.html

Hayabusa to start return trip to Earth in mid April
JAXA
April 4, 2007

The asteroid explorer "Hayabusa" which landed on the
asteroid "Itokawa" last November, delivered its probe
container for acquired samples to the re-entry capsule,
stored it in the capsule, then tightly shut the lid
(with latches and seals.)

Since February, JAXA tried a new attitude control method
to operate the ion engine, and engine running trials in
phases have been underway since late March.

It is scheduled to start fully fledged engine operations in
mid April to return to Earth. The operation of the Hayabusa
is still undergoing difficulties, but JAXA will do its utmost
to make the explorer return home in June 2010.
Received on Wed 04 Apr 2007 07:47:49 PM PDT