Hayabusa2 Hayabusa2 Orbit Outline (Scheduled orbit as of Nov. 2014)

November 30, 2014: Launch

After launch, the Hayabusa2 will fly once around the Sun, in a similar orbit to the Earth’s, then it will come back near the Earth in about one year to perform a swing-by.

End of 2015: Earth swing-by

After the swing-by, the Hayabusa2 will fly into an orbit that is similar to the 1999 JU3’s. It will make about two rounds around the Sun to arrive at the 1999 JU3. The Hayabusa2 will explore the 1999 JU3 while the asteroid revolves once around the Sun.

Summer 2018: Arrival at the asteroid – Stay there for about 18 months.

  • Observing the asteroid using remote observation instruments including the Near InfraRed Spectrometer (NIRS3) and the Thermal Infrared Imager (TIR).
  • Separating the small rover “MINERVA” and small lander “MASCOT”.
  • Capturing samples from the surface of the asteroid.
  • Separating the Small Carry-on Impactor (SCI) to make an artificial crater, touch down and acquire samples.

After leaving the 1999 JU3, the Hayabusa2 will fly around the Sun almost once, and return to the Earth.

End of 2020: Return to the Earth

* The above figure shows Hayabusa2’s trip from leaving the Earth to arrival at the asteroid.



Hayabusa2 Orbit (overhead view)

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