Itokawa
Quick Summary
Itokawa is a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) that was studied by the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa. NEAs are asteroids that can approach Earth's orbit. Itokawa, classified as an S-class asteroid, is relatively small, with its surface being weathered by solar wind and cosmic rays.12
The Hayabusa mission aimed to collect dust grains from Itokawa and return them to Earth for analysis. Despite facing numerous technical challenges, including ion engine issues and equipment failures, Hayabusa successfully landed on Itokawa twice in November 2005. The spacecraft departed Itokawa in April 2007 and returned a capsule containing approximately 1,500 tiny grains from the asteroid to Earth in June 2010. Analysis of these grains provided insights into the composition of S-class asteroids and the weathering processes they undergo.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
micrometeoroid…dust, from the near-Earth asteroid Itokawa for laboratory analysis.
Read More…dust, from the near-Earth asteroid Itokawa for laboratory analysis.
Read More- HayabusaThe first Hayabusa
…planned rendezvous with the asteroid Itokawa from June 2005 to September 12, 2005, when Hayabusa achieved a station-keeping position that effectively was nearly stationary relative to the asteroid. The spacecraft had also suffered thruster leaks and battery and equipment failures that made operations exceptionally challenging.
Read More…planned rendezvous with the asteroid Itokawa from June 2005 to September 12, 2005, when Hayabusa achieved a station-keeping position that effectively was nearly stationary relative to the asteroid. The spacecraft had also suffered thruster leaks and battery and equipment failures that made operations exceptionally challenging.
Read More