Mission Artwork

 

Hayabusa

 

Japan's Hayabusa asteroid sample return mission

In this scene Hayabusa is touching it's sample collection horn to the surface of asteroid Itokawa. The tiny MINERVA rover can be seen hopping (below, right). There is also a small blue target marker on the surface that Hayabusa released to guide it safely to the surface. The entire sample collection process only takes one second. It will then bring the asteroid sample back to Earth.

NASA and JPL have assisted in the Hayabusa mission.

 

 

3D images

 

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