[meteorite-list] Hayabusa To Start Return Trip To Earth in Mid April

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.jaxa.jp/topics/2007/04_e.html

Hayabusa to start return trip to Earth in mid April
JAXA
April 4, 2007

The asteroid explorer "Hayabusa" which landed on the 
asteroid "Itokawa" last November, delivered its probe 
container for acquired samples to the re-entry capsule, 
stored it in the capsule, then tightly shut the lid 
(with latches and seals.)

Since February, JAXA tried a new attitude control method 
to operate the ion engine, and engine running trials in 
phases have been underway since late March.

It is scheduled to start fully fledged engine operations in 
mid April to return to Earth.  The operation of the Hayabusa 
is still undergoing difficulties, but JAXA will do its utmost 
to make the explorer return home in June 2010.