History Today: Japan’s Hayabusa Launches from Asteroid Itokawa

SPACE — On November 19, 2005, the Japanese space probe Hayabusa (HI-uh-BOOS-uh) made the first liftoff from an asteroid. Hayabusa has the task of taking asteroid samples and bringing them to Earth.

Asteroids are space rocks that formed at the beginning of the solar system so they can provide further information about their history. Hayabusa made two landings on the asteroid Itokawa (EE -toh-KA-wah). Every time it lands, the spacecraft goes into safe mode.

Hayabusa is able to conquer asteroids safely. However, it was destroyed when it landed back on earth. Hayabusa suddenly broke up in the earth’s atmosphere.

Fortunately, the capsule he was carrying survived. Scientists also found Itokawa dust in the capsule.

Also Read: Facts about Asteroids and their Threats to Earth

The daring Hayabusa has prompted the creation of another sample return mission from Japan. The new spacecraft is named Hayabusa 2. It arrived at the asteroid Ryugu (REE-ooh-goo) in 2018.

Hayabusa 2 controllers were unsure whether the craft had collected asteroid material. However, they still asked him to return to Earth. Source: Space.com