Non-Defence Trials

Hayabusa Re-entry Capsule Mission

The Hayabusa spacecraft was launched from the Kagoshima Space Center by JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) on 9 May 2003. The primary purpose of the mission is to rendezvous with asteroid Itokawa and return a sample of primordial material to Earth for scientific analysis. The rendezvous with Itokawa was accomplished with pin-point precision in September 2005 and extensive imaging, mapping and sensor measurements were performed of Itokawa (lower image). Two touchdown manoevres to gather sample material were also undertaken. However, problems were encountered following the final manouevre, resulting in the intended landing of the Sample Return Capsule being delayed from mid 2007 to mid 2010. Click here to view the current location of the Hayabusa spacecraft.

ISAS has selected the WTF as the landing site for the Sample Return Capsule. Following release from the "mother" spacecraft, the capsule will undertake a high speed re-entry (~12 km/s) and descend by parachute in a targeted landing area. A number of direction-finding stations will be deployed by ISAS around the landing area to detect an onboard beacon during the parachute descent phase and determine the location of the small 40cm diameter capsule. Advance rehearsal activities to simulate the capsule landing and location are planned by ISAS.

Approval for the Hayabusa landing has been progressed by several Australian government agencies, including the Department of Defence and the Space Licensing and Safety Office.