Hayabusa returns from asteroid Itokawa 2010

Hayabusa (not to be confused with Hayabusa 2) returned to Earth after visiting the near-Earth asteroid Itokawa, June 13, 2010.  Launched in 2003, it was the first spacecraft designed to land on an asteroid and then take off again.  

Scientists at the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) studied particles taken from Itokawa, most of which were about 10 micrometers in size.  They determined that the grains were extraterrestrial in origin, meaning they resembled meteorites and asteroids, rather than known rocks from Earth. 

Hayabusa lands on the asteroid Itokawa

Hayabusa, the Japanese spacecraft launched in May 2003, landed on the asteroid Itokawa November 19, 2005.  It had arrived at the asteroid just two months before.  Just as it landed, Hayabusa fired tiny projectiles at the surface and collected the spray.  Small specks were collected to be sent back to Earth for analysis. 

Hayabusa returned to Earth June 13, 2010 in Australia.  

Hayabusa, spacecraft to Itokawa, launched 2003

Hayabusa, launched May 9, 2003, was a spacecraft developed by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency to the near-Earth asteroid Itokawa.  It arrived at Itokawa in September 2005.  It studied the asteroid for two months, landing in November.    It collected a few grains from the asteroid's surface and returned to Earth in June 2010.

Hayabusa releases first pictures of near-Earth asteroid Itokawa 2005

Near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa

Hayabusa, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe, sent back its first pictures of near-Earth asteroid Itokawa (officially 25143 Itokawa) August 14, 2005.  It wouldn't arrive in the vicinity of the asteroid until September 12 but it took some startling and interesting images. 

Near-Earth objects, such as Itokawa, are those small solar system bodies whose orbits can bring it into close proximity to Earth.  Itokawa is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Object (PHO), which means its orbit can bring it exceptionally close to Earth, and large enough to cause significant regional damage if it impacts Earth.

One small crater has been named Laurel, after Laurel, Maryland, just up the road from here, where APL/JHU is located.

JAXA has identified a number of surface features.

 Itokawa's largest rock, about 50 m long.

The Muses Sea - a uniquely smooth area on Itokawa's surface.

The Woomera Desert

Itokawa from a different angle.