Return of Sample Recovery Capsule
aboard Asteroid Explorer "HAYABUSA"
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) would like to announce that it was issued the Authorized Return of Overseas Launch Space Object (AROLSO) for the Sample Recovery Capsule aboard the Asteroid Explorer "HAYABUSA" from the Space Licensing and Safety Office (SLASO) of the Australian Government on Friday, April 16th.
The capsule is scheduled to return to the Earth in June 2010. According to the latest information, the capsule will reenter into the atmosphere at around 11:00 p.m. on June 13th, 2010, (Japan Standard Time, or 14:00 UTC* on the day) at the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia.
The "HAYABUSA" project team continues to carefully operate the spacecraft ahead of the reentry, and will release any updated information to the public whenever it becomes available.
*UTC: Universal Time, Coordinated
Outline of trajectory guidance based on the latest trajectory plan
(The plan is subject to change due to operational status or analysis.)
| March 27: | Completed the second trajectory shifting by ion engines |
| April 6: | TCM-0 implemented the initial guidance to the outer rim of the Earth. |
| About 39 days prior to reentry: | TCM-1 to guide to the outer rim of the Earth |
| About 15 days prior to reentry: | TCM-2 to guide to the outer rim of the Earth |
| About 7 days prior to reentry: | TCM-3 to guide to Australia (Earth's outer rim to the expected land area) |
| About 3 days prior to reentry: | TCM-4 to guide to Australia (more detailed guidance) |
| About a day prior to reentry: | Increase capsule temperature |
| About 3 hours prior to reentry: | Capsule separation |
| Reentry: | around 11:00 p.m. (JST or 2:00 p.m. UTC) |
| One hour after reentry: | Capsule landing |
*TCM: Trajectory Correction Maneuver (It takes a long time as we carry out the TCM using the ion engines.)
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