<p>On May 9, 2003, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched Hayabusa, its mission to asteroid 25143 Itokawa. The journey was a demonstration of new technology engineered for returning samples from asteroids: ion engines, autonomous navigation, an asteroid sampler, and a reentry capsule. After a gravity assist from Earth, Hayabusa arrived at Itokawa in September<a class="more-link" href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/may-9-2003-hayabusa-launches/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">"May 9, 2003: Hayabusa launches"</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.astronomy.com/today-in-the-history-of-astronomy/may-9-2003-hayabusa-launches/">May 9, 2003: Hayabusa launches</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.astronomy.com">Astronomy Magazine</a>.</p>
On May 9, 2003, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched Hayabusa, its mission to asteroid 25143 Itokawa. The journey was a demonstration of new technology engineered for returning samples from asteroids: ion engines, autonomous navigation, an asteroid sampler, and a reentry capsule. After a gravity assist from Earth, Hayabusa arrived at Itokawa in SeptemberContinue reading “May 9, 2003: Hayabusa launches”
The post May 9, 2003: Hayabusa launches appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.