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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Preparing for Hayabusa's return
Only about 40 hours remain for the Hayabusa mission. Its dramatic entry will take place at 14:00 UTC on Sunday, June 13.
Hayabusa: Waiting
We're in the final days of the Hayabusa mission, but until Sunday I think we're in a state of
Hayabusa's final approach on target; Japan's ready to receive samples
Hayabusa's final maneuver, a three-hour
A brief history of Hayabusa
For those of you who found my Hayabusa mission recap too long, here's a graphical version of the history of the Hayabusa mission.
Hayabusa: "I did my best!"
While he was in Japan to observe IKAROS' sail deployment, Lou Friedman couldn't help but notice the country's excitement over the impending return of Hayabusa.
Six days left for Hayabusa: A recap of the mission
The Hayabusa spacecraft is about to die. On Sunday, June 13, at 14:00 UTC, Hayabusa will burn up in Earth's atmosphere, bringing its dramatic seven-year mission to an end.
Taking things slowly with IKAROS sail deployment
Planetary Society Executive Director Lou Friedman was at JAXA's Japanese Space Exploration Center to observe the deployment of IKAROS' solar sails.
Dawn Journal: Surveying Vesta
After more than 2.5 years of spaceflight, and more than 6 months in the asteroid belt, Dawn's interplanetary journey continues smoothly.
Sighting the homeworld
Coming closer every day, Mr. Hayabusa has sighted his final destination: his homeworld, Earth, and its attendant Moon.
Dawn Journal: Matching Paces with Vesta
Dawn remains on course and on schedule for its appointments with Vesta and Ceres, colossal protoplanets in the main asteroid belt.
Anticipating the end of Hayabusa
A successful sample return for the Hayabusa mission will mean the fiery death of Mr. Hayabusa himself. The poignancy of this is not lost upon the people in Japan who are following the mission.
More detail on the Hayabusa return timeline
JAXA has issued a notice with a little bit more detail on the timeline for Hayabusa's return to Earth.
Hayabusa's coming home
It really looks like Hayabusa is going to make it home. Hayabusa's sample return capsule will be returning to Earth on June 13, 2010, landing in the Woomera Prohibited Area, Australia at about 14:00 UTC.
21 Lutetia, Rosetta's July target
While I was waiting for President Obama's speech yesterday, I read over a paper by I. N. Belskaya et al titled
Hayabusa update: a little east of Pollux
The first of what will be five trajectory correction maneuvers (TCMs) is
Dawn Journal: It's Just a Phase
Our interplanetary adventurer still has a great deal of ion thrusting to complete before it can begin its orbital exploration of Vesta next year.
Hayabusa update: Traverse to night-side approach successful
Hayabusa's mission team has successfully shifted the little spacecraft's approach trajectory from the day side to the night side of Earth, a critical maneuver for the survival of the sample return capsule.
Hayabusa update: Last modifications to Earth return trajectory
An update on Hayabusa posted to the JAXA website by project manager Junichiro Kawaguchi.
Dawn Journal: Forever Farther From Earth Than the Sun
Pushing ever farther into space, deeper into the asteroid belt, Dawn is continuing to progress smoothly on its solar system journey.
Dawn Journal: Thruster Two's Time to Shine
Dawn is outfitted with three ion thrusters, assigned the heartwarming names thruster #1, thruster #2, and thruster #3.