Japan Space Probe Has Thruster Problem

Yahoo (AP) ^ | 11/29/2005 | KOZO MIZOGUCHI

[The_Victor]

TOKYO - A Japanese spacecraft that landed on an asteroid to collect surface samples for analysis has developed trouble with its thruster system, the nation's space agency said Tuesday.

The problem is the latest facing Japan's attempt to complete the world's first two-way trip to an asteroid, following earlier problems with the probe's gyroscopes and two botched practice landings.

The Hayabusa probe appeared to have touched down Saturday, just long enough to collect powder from the asteroid's surface and lift off again to return to Earth.

But it soon began shaking due to a gas leak from a thruster, and that continued through Tuesday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said on its Web site.

Communications also were briefly lost before being restored.

"Judging from the current circumstances, a certain amount of time will be needed to resume the probe's operations," JAXA said.

The agency is trying to fix the problem by a December deadline to begin the craft's 180-million-mile journey home. The Kyodo News agency said failure to remedy the glitch may make the probe's return impossible.

Hayabusa was launched in May 2003.

On top of recovering samples from the asteroid Itokawa, the probe also is testing a new type of ion engine that uses an electric field to accelerate positive ions to a high velocity. It also swung by Earth for a gravity assist that propelled the probe toward Itokawa.

The Hayabusa mission is part of Japan's efforts to expand its space exploration program. Earlier this year, JAXA said it would send its first astronauts into space and set up a base on the moon by 2025.

But the agency has recently suffered a series of setbacks. A moon probe originally scheduled for launch in 2005 has been delayed, while the agency abandoned a mission to Mars two years ago after a probe moved off course.

If all goes well with Hayabusa, it will be the first time a probe returns to Earth with samples from an asteroid, according to JAXA. A

[The_Victor]

Don't ya just hate it when probes have thruster problems?

[thoughtomator]

"Judging from the current circumstances, a certain amount of time will be needed to resume the probe's operations," JAXA said.

We're going to have a field day with this one.

[mewzilla]

They forgot the Viagra?

[Lazamataz]

Japan Space Probe Has Thruster Problem

[Lazamataz]

I hate you.

[RockinRight]

Four posts to the first Viagra pic...

[Red Badger]

They need Vilagla!........

[mewzilla]

LOL. But you got the pic! :)

[Lazamataz]

But mewzilla beat me to the first Viagra mention.

And I will NEVER forgive him for that.

[Lazamataz]

LOL. But you got the pic! :)

I know. I knew I was racing SOMEbody, but getting the pic slowed me down. ;^)

[The_Victor]

Vilagla!........

If memory serves me, Japanese has l's but no r's. Like in Cheveray and DinseyRand.

[Lazamataz]

If memory serves me, Japanese has l's but no r's. Like in Cheveray and DinseyRand.

So, if you ask to see someone's lover, in Japan, you are likely to be thrown into a volcano?

[mewzilla]

And I will NEVER forgive him for that.

Pssst, Laz...He's a her :)

[robertpaulsen]

"But it soon began shaking due to a gas leak from a thruster ..."

I've done that ..

[Lazamataz]

BEAT BY A GIRL???!?

Oh, the shame of it all.

[boomop1]

Nope, they got it up now they can't get it down.

[mewzilla]

Nope, they got it up now they can't get it down.

=8-0

Wait a minute, maybe they didn't forget the Viagra!

[Red Badger]

Okay! Viragra!.......

[albee]

Quality Control is our number one objective!

Kito Kobayoshi, Launch Manager

[Waverunner]

ladiant heat from thruster has accerlated growth of strange substance retrieved from asteroid.
Beware of Green Slime