Image of Asteroid Itokawa taken by HAYABUSA\'s ONC-T Hayabusa has performed well. Arriving at the target asteroid Itokawa on September 12th of this year it has made detailed scientific observation so far by varying its relative position around Itokawa. Though Hayabusa’s two reaction wheels were lost on July 31 st and October 3rd, its attitude has been maintained by a single wheel together with the chemical engines aboard, while the spacecraft has been operated normally. A new control scheme making the firing impulse enough small has now been developed assuring the attitude control resolution to be well managed. This assures the fuel amount required is adequate within that remains. The project team concluded the flight operation until the return to the Earth is feasibly performed, as long as the existing instruments and hardware aboard continue working normally as they are. The proximity operation assumed in November next month consists of Rehearsal Descent scheduled on November 4th, 1st Touching-down for sampling on November 12 th and the 2nd Touching-down for the same on November 25th. These events will occur around noon in Japan Standard Time in the midst of the operation period from Japan.



Via: Spacenews.dancebeat.info