I am really thrilled to see Japan developing space technologies. Times are coming when there won’t be USA/Russian monopoly for the cool space missions :-) I came across this awesome detailed video about ambitious mission to fly to an asteroid, explore it, take soil samples and return them back to Earth.
Video is a bit longer than 20 minutes, but those are well spent 20 minutes of your life. You will get an insight on how space missions are run and the amount of challenges scientists have to overcome. This is a rocket science and it is difficult, so almost all space science missions experience some kind of troubles along the way. But I am always glad to hear that challenges were overcome and more data for research is coming.
If you want to learn more about how space missions are managed and how does it feels/looks like to be a part of a spacecraft team, you definitely should watch this movie! Sneak peak: this space craft uses cutting edge ion drive.
Hayabusa is scheduled to come back home in June 2010.
Tags: asteroid, astronomy, astronomy video, Hayabusa, JAXA
July 6, 2009 at 7:15 am |
I would hardly say there is a US/Russia monopoly on cool space missions. The ESA has launched some of the most advanced and interesting missions over the last few years: Hershel, Plank, Rosetta, and even the Titan lander Huygens are all ESA spacecraft!
July 6, 2009 at 6:14 pm |
I have to agree with you Aaron on this one :-), ESA is doing a tremendous job these days. I think I still have a stereotype in my head. Hopefully China and India will join big guys soon too.