Hayabusa Arrives Itokawa

Hayabusa arrived Itokawa on 10:00 am, 12 Sep (JST: Japanese Standard Time) and is now hovers orbiting some 20 kilometers off from Asteroid Itokawa.

By Space War Editorial Team · Editorial process

Published September 12, 2005

Hayabusa arrived Itokawa on 10:00 am, 12 Sep (JST: Japanese Standard Time) and is now hovers orbiting some 20 kilometers off from Asteroid Itokawa.

This picture was taken at 8:35 am, 12 Sep (JST) just before the settlement by the visible imager AMICA. Field of view is two degrees.

The photo shows contrast of rocky and hilly region and smooth area, which may suggest the origin of this asteroid. This feature may be a key to consider Itokawa's origin and evolution.
The scientific observation will be conducted for about two months including sampling and topographic measurement.

Color composite image will be available soon.

The

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The Space War Editorial Team produces content across our two editorial pillars: space industry news and Mind & Meaning. We cover launches, missions, satellites, defense, and the technology of getting humans to space, alongside the psychology of ambition, isolation, and meaning under extremes. Articles reflect our team's collective editorial process, source verification, drafting, technical review, and editing, rather than a single writer's work. Space War takes editorial responsibility for content under this byline. For more on how we work, see our editorial policy.