News JAXA-Hayabusa mission news.

[Orbinaut Pete]

Japan to launch Hayabusa 2 probe in 2014.

The headquarters decided to move ahead with a fiscal 2014 launch timetable for the Hayabusa 2 -- the successor to the Hayabusa probe mission to a near Earth asteroid that concluded this year -- and moon research. In response to the space headquarters' decision, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has included a request for 3 billion yen for the development of the Hayabusa 2 in its requested budget appropriations estimate for fiscal 2011.

 

[IronRain]

Japan to launch Hayabusa 2 probe in 2014.

Very nice news! Thanks!

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Hayabusa space probe's capsule to be exhibited nationwide.

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Analysis of Hayabusa samples will wait until 2011:

Scientists won't know whether Japan's Hayabusa probe actually returned asteroid dust until at least February or March, when researchers finish extracting microscopic particles from the craft's return capsule and complete an exhaustive analysis to verify their origin.
...

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

The Daily Telegraph: "Particles from Hayabusa space probe 'could contain extraterrestrial life'".

 

[Izack]

The Daily Telegraph: "Particles from Hayabusa space probe 'could contain extraterrestrial life'".

Why do they always suspect life everywhere? There's life on Mars! There's life in Europa! There's life on Titan! There's life on comets and asteroids! I'm sure they'll look for life on the Sun when they send a there!!

 

[jinglesassy]

Why do they always suspect life everywhere? There's life on Mars! There's life in Europa! There's life on Titan! There's life on comets and asteroids! I'm sure they'll look for life on the Sun when they send a there!!

There is evidence for huge amounts of liquid water on the surface of mars a few billion years ago and Europa might have liquid ocean a few miles under the ice and titan has liquids on the surface.

 

[tblaxland]

The particles were believed to have originated from Earth, the Yomiuri newspaper and Kyodo News agency reported.

 

[orb]

The Mainichi Daily News: Particles in Hayabusa sample capsule mostly rocky in nature:

NAGOYA -- The particles in a sample capsule released by the Hayabusa asteroid probe on its return to Earth were largely rocky materials, researchers have announced.

...

Since the rocky particles are diverse in composition, researchers will further inspect them at SPring-8, a large synchrotron radiation facility in Sayo, Hyogo Prefecture, to determine if they are terrestrial or from the asteroid Itokawa.

 

[orb]

JAXA Press Release:

Identification of origin of particles
brought back by Hayabusa​

November 16, 2010 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)​

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been engaged in collecting and categorizing particles in the sampler container* that were brought back by the instrumental module of the asteroid exploration spacecraft "Hayabusa."

Based on the results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and analyses of samples that were collected with a special spatula from sample catcher compartment "A", about 1,500 grains were identified as rocky particles, and most of them were judged to be of extraterrestrial origin, and definitely from Asteroid Itokawa.

Their size is mostly less than 10 micrometers, and handling these grains requires very special skills and techniques. JAXA is developing the necessary handling techniques and preparing the associated equipment for the initial (but more detailed) analyses of these ultra-minute particles.

* The Hayabusa sampler container consists of 2 compartments that are called "Sample Catcher A and B.

________________________________________

The Mainichi Daily News: Particles in Hayabusa space probe confirmed to come from asteroid Itokawa].

BBC News: Japan probe collected particles from Itokawa asteroid.

Discovery News: Success! Hayabusa Captured Asteroid Dust.

Xinhua: Most particles in Hayabusa explorer's capsule originate from asteroid.

Sky & Telescope: Hayabusa Brings Home Asteroid Dust.

 

[SiberianTiger]

Not sure if this breathtaking Hayabusa reentry video appeared on this thread before.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfYA4f-AIL0&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - NASA Team Captures Hayabusa Spacecraft Reentry[/ame]

 

[orb]

Not sure if this breathtaking Hayabusa reentry video appeared on this thread before.

Appeared in this post, but thanks for reminding it.

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: Research finds asteroid Itokawa is an ancient rock:

A preliminary analysis of asteroid samples returned last year by Japan's Hayabusa probe show evidence the dust grains have a similar composition to stony meteorites that commonly fall to Earth.

This image of one of Hayabusa's samples was obtained with a scanning electron microscope.
Credit: JASA​

{...}

The initial research also shows the samples inspected so far contain no organic molecules. Scientists also say the analysis confirms the rocks at Itokawa were formed 4.6 billion years ago at the dawn of the solar system.

{...}

 

[orb]

JAXA Press Release:

The “Scinence” special edition on “HAYABUSA”
research reports was published​

August 26, 2011 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)​

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been engaged in collecting and categorizing particles in the sampler container (*1), which was brought back by the instrumental module of the asteroid exploration spacecraft "HAYABUSA" from asteroid "Itokawa."

As part of this effort, JAXA has been conducting the initial analysis (*2) of particles identified as rocky using scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, which were collected from sample catcher compartment "A."

As a part of achievements of the initial analysis, six HAYABUSA research reports were published in the "Science Magazine" dated August 26, 2011. In addition, the cover of this magazine features these achievements.

This is also epoch-making news since the special issues that the asteroid explorer "HAYABUSA's" neighborhood observation on asteroid "Itokawa" in June 2006, the solar observation satellite "HINODE" in December 2007 and "KAGUYA" in February 2009.
The titles of the research reports in Science magazine are as follows:

1. Itokawa dust particles: A direct link between S-type asteroids and ordinary chondrites
2. Oxygen Isotopic Compositions of Asteroidal Materials Returned from Itokawa by the Hayabusa Mission
3. Neutron Activation Analysis of a Particle Returned from Asteroid Itokawa
4. Three-dimensional structure of Hayabusa sample: Origin and evolution of Itokawa regolith
5. Incipient space weathering observed on the surface of Itokawa dust
6. Irradiation history of Itokawa regolith material deduced from noble gases in the Hayabusa samples

*1 The HAYABUSA sampler container consists of 2 compartments that are called Sample Catcher A and B.

*2 "Initial analysis" means the analysis of typical particles to obtain information necessary for categorizing (identification, classification and numbering) as a part of curation activity (*3).

*3 "Curation activity" means the retrieval of particles, preservation, categorizing and allocation and their necessary analysis.

Science Magazine 26 August 2011 : Cover

A small rocky particle, 150 microns in size, brought buck from asteroid "Itokawa " by the asteroid exploration spacecraft "HAYABUSA."​

Mission website:

• Science: http://www.sciencemag.org/magazine.dtl
• Asteroid Explorer "HAYABUSA" (MUSES-C):
  http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/muses_c/index_e.html
• Tohoku University: http://www.tohoku.ac.jp/english/
• KEK / Tohoku University: http://www.kek.jp/intra-e/press/2011/082613/
• Hokkaido University: http://www.hokudai.ac.jp/en/
• Tokyo Metropolitan University: http://www.tmu.ac.jp/english/index.html
• Osaka University: http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/index.html
• The University of Tokyo: http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/index_e.html

​

Appendix: Research Reports Titles with Outlines

Author: Tomoki Nakamura (Tohoku University) et al
Title: Itokawa dust particles: A direct link between S-type asteroids and ordinary chondrites
Abstract: The Hayabusa spacecraft successfully recovered dust particles from the surface of near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa. Synchrotron-radiation X-ray diffraction and transmission and scanning electron microscope analyses indicate that the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the Itokawa dust particles are identical to those of thermally metamorphosed LL chondrites, consistent with spectroscopic observations made from Earth and by the Hayabusa Spacecraft. Our results directly demonstrate that ordinary chondrites, the most abundant meteorites found on the Earth, come from S-type asteroids. Mineral chemistry indicates that the majority of regolith surface particles suffered long-term thermal annealing and subsequent impact shock, suggesting that Itokawa is an asteroid made of reassembled pieces of the interior portions of a once larger asteroid.

Author: Hisayoshi Yurimoto (Hokkaido University) et al
Title:Oxygen Isotopic Compositions of Asteroidal Materials Returned from Itokawa by the Hayabusa Mission
Abstract:Meteorite studies suggest that each solar system object has a unique oxygen isotopic composition. Chondrites have been believed to be derived from asteroids, but oxygen isotopic compositions of asteroids themselves have not been established. We have measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry oxygen isotopic compositions of rock particles from asteroid 25143 Itokawa returned by the Hayabusa spacecraft. Compositions of the particles are depleted in 16O relative to terrestrial materials and indicate that Itokawa, an S-type asteroid, is one of the sources of the LL or L group of equilibrated ordinary chondrites. We have the first direct oxygen-isotope link between chondrites and their parent asteroid.

Author: Mitsuru Ebihara (Tokyo Metropolitan University) et al
Title:Neutron Activation Analysis of a Particle Returned from Asteroid Itokawa
Abstract:A single grain (~3 μg) returned by the Hayabusa spacecraft was analyzed by neutron activation analysis. This grain is mainly composed of olivine with minor amounts of plagioclase, troilite and metal. Our results establish that the Itokawa sample has similar chemical characteristics (Fe/Sc and Ni/Co ratios) to chondrite, confirming that this grain is extraterrestrial in origin and has primitive chemical compositions. Estimated Ir/Ni and Ir/Co ratios for metal in the Itokawa samples are about five times lower than CI values. A similar depletion of Ir was observed in chondrules metals of ordinary chondrites. These metals must have condensed from the nebular where refractory siderophile elements already condensed and were segregated.

Author: Akira Tsuchiyama (Osaka University) et al
Title:Three-dimensional structures of Hayabusa sample: Origin and evolution of Itokawa regolith
Abstract:Regolith particles on the asteroid Itokawa were recovered by the Hayabusa mission. Thee-dimensional (3D) structures of these particles examined by X-ray microtomography give information for comparison with meteorites and about regolith formation. Modal abundances of minerals, bulk density (3.4 g/cm3), and the 3D textures indicate a mixture of equilibrated and less-equilibrated LL chondrite materials. No particles showing melting were observed. 3D shape features of these particles (size and shape distributions, and the presence of particles with rounded edges) are different from the lunar regolith and suggest that they were formed by meteoroid impacts on the asteroid surface, and eroded by seismic-induced grain motion in the smooth terrain. The results indicate that the returned samples are a good representation of the surface materials on Itokawa.

Author: Takaaki Noguchi (Ibaraki University) et al
Title:Incipient space weathering observed on the surface of Itokawa dust
Abstract:The reflectance spectra of the most abundant meteorites, ordinary chondrites, are different from the abundant S-type asteroids. This discrepancy hasbeen thought to be due to space weathering, which is an alteration of surfaces of airless bodies exposed to the space environment. Here we report evidence of space weathering on particles returned from the S-type asteroid Itokawa by the Hayabusa spacecraft. Surface modification was found in 5 out of 10 particles, which varies depending on mineral species. Sulfur-bearing Fe-rich nanoparticles (npFe) exist in a thin (5-15 nm) surface layer on olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, and plagioclase, suggestive of vapor deposition. Sulfur-free npFe exist deeper inside (<60 nm) ferromagnesian silicates. Their texture suggests formation by metamictization and in-situ reduction of Fe2+.

Author: Keisuke Nagao (The University of Tokyo) et al
Title:Irradiation history of Itokawa regolith material deduced from noble gases in the Hayabusa samples
Abstract: Noble gas isotopes were measured in three rocky grains from asteroid Itokawa to elucidate a history of irradiation from cosmic rays and solar wind on its surface. Large amounts of solar helium (He), neon (Ne), and argon (Ar) trapped in various depths in the grains were observed, which can be explained by multiple implantations of solar wind particles into the grains, combined with preferential He loss caused by frictional wear of space-weathered rims on the grains. Short residence time of less than 8 million years was implied for the grains by an estimate on cosmic-ray.produced 21Ne. Our results suggest that Itokawa is continuously losing its surface materials into space at a rate of tens of centimeters per million years. The lifetime of Itokawa should be much shorter than the age of our solar system.​

 

[orb]

JAXA Press Release:

1st International Announcement of Opportunity for
HAYABUSA Sample Investigation​

January 24, 2012 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)​

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been engaged in initial analysis* of Itokawa's sample bought back by HAYABUSA. On this occasion we would like to inform you of offering the announcement of opportunity for HAYABUSA Sample Investigation.

Through the peer review, JAXA will provide HAYABUSA sample to researcher who submits research proposal in the framework of this Announce of 0pportunity (herein after referred as "AO"). This AO is planned to be conducted a few times. The 1st International AO issues on January 24th 2012.

Please see the appendix.

* "Initial analysis" means the analysis of typical particles to obtain information necessary for categorizing (identification, classification and numbering). Initial analysis is scheduled to end with announce of opportunity.​

Appendix​

HAYABUSA sample International Announcement of Opportunity (AO)
Outline​

1. Objectives of AO
   To maximize scientific achievement of HAYABUSA project through the selection of outstanding research proposal by International AO for Itokawa's Sample Investigation. The objective of AO, therefore, is to contribute to development of planetary science worldwide.
   
   
2. Application method
   Proposers apply through "JAXA 1st International Announcement of Opportunity for HAYABUSA Sample Investigation website" which JAXA has prepared as follows.
   
   URL:http://hayabusaao.isas.jaxa.jp/
   
   
3. Review method
   JAXA International AO Committee that consists of domestic and foreign experts will review proposals and will select outstanding research.
   
   
4. Future plans
   
   Announcement of Opportunity|24 January, 2012
   Due date for proposals|7 March, 2012 (15:00 UT)
   Completion of review|Mid May, 2012
   Distribution of sample|Soon after the completion of review
   (Details of subsequent AO are to be determined.)

 

[orb]

Discovery News: Violent History Preserved in Hayabusa's Asteroid Grains

 

[tl8]

For those still interested:

Hayabusa Available July 8
Hayabusa, the second LEGO CUUSOO set, is on sale now in Japan and will be available to order from shop.LEGO.com starting July 8 and will be sold online to all 23 countries that shop.LEGO.com services and retail at $49.00 / €49,00.

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/439