Hayabusa spacecraft

supernova1965 (Warren) · #1 06-06-2010, 09:02 AM

A JAPANESE spacecraft the size of a basketball carrying material from an asteroid is set to touch down in Woomera in June.

Apparently this is set to happen today

MikeyB (Michael) · #2 06-06-2010, 10:15 AM

It's actually due next Sunday - 13th June - as previously reported (see paragraph 5 of today's article):

Damaged probe set for Woomera touchdown

Spanrz (Brett) · #3 06-06-2010, 11:07 AM

Looks like there will be a good show next Sunday night for photographers.
Assuming the reentry path will be from the Western edge of WA?
Perth to Canarvon and Kalgoorlie should get a great show if that's the case.
That's if it's a direct East trajectory.

Could even come from Broome way?

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #4 06-06-2010, 09:55 PM

I was thinking of starting a thread about this myself as I'm looking for info on it. Other than it coming in at 10pm WST on the 13th I haven't heard anything else yet. Anyone got more info?

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #5 07-06-2010, 03:07 AM

Site for the final approach - http://hayabusa.jaxa.jp/e/index.html

Spanrz (Brett) · #6 07-06-2010, 12:58 PM

Does this look like it's headed from a top reentry over Woomera? Instead of a West to East trajectory?
Adelaide may get a good view? Unsure about Melbourne and Perth, but it looks good for the most Southern Cities.

vespine · #7 07-06-2010, 01:27 PM

12.2 km/s re-entry, peak deceleration of about 25 G and heating rates approximately 30 times those experienced by the Apollo spacecraft! It will land via parachute near Woomera.

Making the re-entry is 510 kilograms worth of space probe, i'm not sure the "basketball" size quoted above is accurate. Maybe that's what will be left at the end.

In any case, definitely sounds like something to look out for if you're in the area! Doesn't sound very likely we'll get a show from Melb but I'll be keeping my eye on the developments.

Vartigy · #8 07-06-2010, 05:17 PM

kalgoorlie ye say... mmm... SUNDAY SESH!!

Also, if any of you have mates working at olympic dam, tell them to be prepared for a shotover landing in the middle of their camp if the japs get their maths wrong. Could be a funny story.

rogerg (Roger) · #9 07-06-2010, 06:32 PM

I haven't found anything to specifically say where the re-entry is coming from (what direction), has anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanrz

Does this look like it's headed from a top reentry over Woomera? Instead of a West to East trajectory?

I think the docments on the website linked give that impression only because of the way they're drawn to show it falling to earth, not that it's coming in on that angle - I don't see how something travelling at M25 could make a turn like indicated in the graphic. Also presumably due to earth's rotation and it travelling roughly in the plane of the solar system it's coming in on an E/W direction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vespine

Making the re-entry is 510 kilograms worth of space probe, i'm not sure the "basketball" size quoted above is accurate.

Looks to me from my reading that 510 kg is the weight of the overall "fridge size" craft, while the bit making the re-entry is much smaller.

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #10 07-06-2010, 06:51 PM

Lets hope it doesn't land downrange in Emu or Maralinga.

Spanrz (Brett) · #11 07-06-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

Lets hope it doesn't land downrange in Emu or Maralinga.

You could tell JAXA "Good luck with that"... hahaha

"You made it land there, You want it, you gotta go get it..."

Kal (Andrew) · #12 07-06-2010, 11:55 PM

The initial launch weight of the Hayabusa craft was 510kg

The Hayabusa capsule that is being returned to earth via parachute is 17kg, 40cm wide by 20cm high

WadeH (Wade) · #13 08-06-2010, 09:49 AM

Weather forecast is not looking good for Perth. BTW has anyone found any charts etc for the re-entry route. WA is a big state in case no-one has noticed. Doesnt seem any mention of this anywhere, even on the Hayabusa home page?

TrevorW · #14 08-06-2010, 03:08 PM

A nifty little project and I bet you it didn't cost billions

erick (Eric) · #15 08-06-2010, 03:34 PM

17kg? Get out there and catch it!

But I suspect the Border Protection cameras will beat you there! I hope its visa is in order!

Vartigy · #16 08-06-2010, 04:58 PM

ROFL. I can see the Customs guys now interogating the collectors.
"Do you have any foreign materials to declare before entering Australia? Soil, Plant life, alien life forms, any of the such?"

Spanrz (Brett) · #17 08-06-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anfo

ROFL. I can see the Customs guys now interogating the collectors.
"Do you have any foreign materials to declare before entering Australia? Soil, Plant life, alien life forms, any of the such?"

Don't forget "did you bring cash with you, worth over $10,000AUD"......?
Or even, JAXA being told by the Customs official that the spacecraft is now deemed ILLEGAL! "you visa is now cancelled, you are now an alien, you will be deported back home"......... LOL!

JAXA would cry!

MikeyB (Michael) · #18 08-06-2010, 10:09 PM

From Australian Geographic: Asteroid probe to land in Australia

Quote:

The asteroid is set to touch down in Woomera on Sunday night

Sounds like Hayabusa has brought back the whole thing - I'd like to see that lot land!

Quote:

but it likely only to be visible from the local area, JAXA scientists say

Not what we were hoping to hear, if correct.

frank farrell · #19 08-06-2010, 10:36 PM

Well, if the weather clears on Sunday evening I may get a glimpse of a shiny something in the north to east sky. But, coz it is all top secret and hush hush, there wont be any photography allowed.

ITOKAWANS

frank farrell · #20 08-06-2010, 10:54 PM

Rogerg..... From NW to SE....