Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency August 2010 No. 02

Special Features JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki: 15-day mission to the International Space Station realizes a long-held dream

Asteroid Explorer Hayabusa: Completing a seven-year return space voyage powered by ion engines Contents Interview with Astronaut No. 02 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 1−5 JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki realizes a long-held dream by Welcome to JAXA TODAY Naoko completing a successful 15-day mission in space The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) works to realize its Yamazaki vision of contributing to a safe and prosperous society through the Midori Nishiura, advisor to JAXA on public affairs, spoke with pursuit of research and development in the aerospace fi eld to deepen Yamazaki about her mission humankind’s understanding of the universe. JAXA’s activities cover a on the International Space broad spectrum of the space and aeronautical fi elds, including satellite Station and her thoughts on development and operation, astronomical observation, planetary space development. exploration, participation in the International Space Station (ISS) 6 project, and the development of new rockets and next-generation Interviewed by Akatsuki: On a mission to aeronautical technology. Midori Nishiura, continuously map Venusian With the aim of disseminating information about JAXA’s activities meteorology in high-resolution 3-D and recent news relating to Japan’s space development programs to Advisor, JAXA Public Affairs as wide an audience as possible, we launched JAXA TODAY in January Akatsuki will help to reveal the 2010. In this, the second issue, we introduce a wide range of topical true face of Venus. articles, including an interview with JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, who recently returned from a mission to the ISS, and a report on the Hayabusa (MUSES-C) mission, which overcame a succession of prob- 7–9 lems to achieve a successful return to Earth. We hope you will fi nd all of IKAROS: A space yacht harness- the content of interest. ing the power of the sun Groundbreaking technology A Miuta (Waka) Poem by enables deep-space exploration without the use of propellant fuel. Her Majesty the Empress 宇宙飛行士帰還 At a press conference after his return on The STS-131 Mission Patch July 31, 2009, from a four-month mission on

10–16 the ISS, JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata said まづその夏草の草の Asteroid explorer Hayabusa that it was when the hatch opened and he completes its return mission using could smell the grass that he felt he had been JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki realizes a long-held dream ion engines welcomed back to earth. Moved by those words, Her Majesty composed this poem. by completing a successful 15-day mission in Space. Here What were the secrets behind the 茂れる星に project team’s success in bring- she speaks with Midori Nishiura, advisor to JAXA’s Public ing the Hayabusa capsule back to Earth? Affairs Department. 17 香を云ひし人 Tokyo hosts International Space JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki served as load master aboard Space Shuttle Station (ISS) heads of agency Discovery mission STS-131. The primary purpose of STS-131 was to continue (HOA) meeting 還り来て the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) and bring a payload of sup- The astronaut’s return plies and equipment to the ISS. As load master, Mission Specialist Yamazaki was The ISS project fosters a strong partnership among On your return to responsible for managing operations to transfer materials between the Discov- participating countries. ery and the ISS. After completing her two-week mission, Yamazaki and Midori Our planet, lush with summer grass Nishiura—advisor to JAXA on public affairs—spoke at length about Yamazaki’s 18–19 First, you astronaut, activities in space, her training and her thoughts on future space development. JAXA promotes the use of space You spoke of “the scent of grass” by countries in Asia and the Flight Day 1 Flight Day 2 Pacifi c: Space Cooperation Offi ce Pouring into the shuttle. for the Asia-Pacifi c Region On Board the Space Shuttle Expanding the use of space across a wide array of fi elds, from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and disaster Source: The Imperial Household Agency monitoring to education. 15 Days Cover Story 20–21 Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off at 6:21 Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki used the JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki was a member of the crew of mission STS-131, JAXA’s frontier The personal logo of JAXA a.m. EDT (7:21 p.m. JST), April 5, 2010. Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) as which fl ew to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Space Shuttle Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki an extension to the Discovery’s robotic A roundup of JAXA’s recent Discovery, carrying a payload of supplies and equipment as part of the ISS arm—the Shuttle Remote Manipula- activities assembly program. The cover photograph was taken on April 10, 2010, the sixth for mission STS-131 tor System (SRMS)—to check for any day of the mission, and captures Yamazaki at work inside the Leonardo Multi- damage to the spacecraft’s body. This Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), which was transported to the ISS by mission inspection was an important operation to ensure that there were no problems STS-131 and connected to the station’s Harmony node. with the shuttle’s Thermal Protection All Flight Day photographs System (TPS) during re-entry into the ©NASA Earth’s atmosphere. 1 JAXA TODAY No. 02 Interview with Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki

but I must say that going to Space awareness and appreciation of case. Thanks to these preparations, a part of this historic event for and back is something most of us the things we take for granted on when I was actually on my mission Japan. Of course, exchanging the could hardly imagine. Earth normally. One of the biggest performing my role, I’d often think, Japanese morning greeting of differences, of course, is the lack of “Oh, we did this in training!” For “ohayo” wouldn’t have been possible Yamazaki: Actually, space isn’t gravity in Space. Did your body and example, it was my job to use the if Astronaut Noguchi hadn’t been really that far away. On board the movements feel heavy once you space station’s robotic arm to lift the aboard! Actually, there were a lot of Space Shuttle, the time from liftoff were back on the ground? Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics tasks that Astronaut Noguchi and I to arrival in space is just eight and Module (MPLM)—developed by the performed as a team. We carried the a half minutes. That’s just a fraction Yamazaki: Yes, my head in Italian Space Agency (ASI)—out of Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory of the time it takes for a commercial particular. My body became the shuttle’s cargo bay and connect Freezer for ISS (MELFI) from airliner to fl y from Tokyo to New York. accustomed to the microgravity it to the Harmony node of the ISS. Leonardo to the Japanese Experiment environment aboard the ISS. The thing is, the Leonardo MPLM Module (JEM) Kibo. The MELFI Nishiura: Wow, eight and a half The Earth’s normal gravity made is big and weighs about 12 tons! Of weighs 500 kilograms, so even in minutes, that’s incredibly quick. my head feel like it weighed 100 course, there’s no way we could have the microgravity environment where But, however quick you get there, kilograms. I realized that I had to something that heavy banging into everything’s weightless, it’s important the environment must be quite cope with gravity again, whether the Space Shuttle or the ISS, so we to have a well-honed technique. different from the Earth. When I liked it or not. had to lift it very slowly and carefully. you returned to Earth, and landed The actual operation went smoothly Nishiura: Absolutely! Bravo to both of on the ground, the tremendous Two Japanese astronauts and fi nished ahead of schedule. I’m you for working in perfect harmony. difference must have hit you. work side-by-side to proud to say that all our training on the ground beforehand paid Yamazaki: Thank you. Astronaut Yamazaki: Yes, after our reentry carry out their mission off [laughs]. Noguchi and I took up separate and landing, when I stood on the on the ISS positions at the front and rear of ground, I was fi lled with emotion Nishiura: When you left for your the MELFI to carry it, but since the Naoko Yamazaki, JAXA Astronaut about how great it was to be back on Nishiura: I understand that your mission in the ISS, JAXA Astronaut unit’s so large we couldn’t see each Midori Nishiura, Advisor, JAXA Public Affairs Photo by Hiro Arakawa main role during the mission was as Soichi Noguchi was already aboard Photo by Hiro Arakawa load master managing the transfer the ISS on a long-duration mission. The relaxing sensation of the wind on my of supplies and equipment between I’m sure his presence must have the Space Shuttle and the ISS been a huge comfort and great help Even from this perspective alone, one can “face made me feel so grateful for nature operating the Leonardo. Having to you. “see that Space development is critical for undergone the extensive pre- —Naoko Yamazaki mission training for this role, were Yamazaki: Yes, it was the fi rst the survival of humankind you able to take on the task without occasion for two Japanese astronauts ” —Midori Nishiura Earth again. I felt Earth’s nature all Differences between life in any qualms? to be aboard the ISS at the same around me. The relaxing sensation Space and on Earth leave time, so I felt very happy to be of the wind on my face made me feel other. This meant that when we went ” The Earth’s environmental a strong impression even Yamazaki: I was assigned my role so grateful for nature. as load master more than a year through a narrow hatch passageway, problems played out in after spending only two we needed to use very precise verbal before the mission’s liftoff, so I was microcosm on the ISS weeks in Space Nishiura: Well, there’s no wind or able to do a lot of training for it. cues back and forth, such as “I’ll breeze in Space, is there? An important part of our training lower my end one more centimeter on Nishiura: Yamazaki-san, welcome is dealing with contingencies—it’s your right.” This kind of task can be Nishiura: There’s an increasing back to Japan, and Earth for Yamazaki: No, there isn’t. That’s vital to avoid having to abandon quite diffi cult if the two people doing awareness, which is generating that matter! why I was so happy to smell the some part of our mission because it aren’t on the same wavelength, so serious debate nowadays, on how trees’ leafy fragrance carried by of a minor component malfunction to speak. I think that since we’re both mankind can survive into the future Yamazaki: Thank you very much. the breeze. or similar problem. So for every Japanese, Astronaut Noguchi and I with imminent unavoidable problems task we perform, there’s a backup were able to communicate well. You like global warming, shortages of Nishiura: My work sometimes takes Nishiura: Traveling and working in plan—and often a second backup International Space Station (ISS) need to establish the right rhythm in food and water, and so on. Even from me to various cities in the world, Space must give you a renewed plan—that we train for, just in ©NASA that kind of situation. this perspective alone, one can see

Flight Day 3Flight Day 4 Flight Day 5 Flight Day 6 Flight Day 7Flight Day 8 Flight Day 9 Flight Day 10

After the Discovery docked with the ISS, Astronaut Yamazaki used the ISS’ robotic Inside the Japanese Experiment Module Astronaut Yamazaki carried out prepara- On this day, astronauts Clay Anderson JAXA held a public information event The crew continued to transfer equipment The crews of STS-131 and ISS Expedition the connecting hatches were opened and arm—the Space Station Remote Manipu- (JEM) Kibo, Astronaut Yamazaki (on the tions for the transfer of the Window and Rick Mastracchio performed their in which Astronaut Yamazaki spoke and materials. Astronaut Yamazaki and 23 participated in a joint in-orbit press the crews of STS-131 and ISS Expedition lator System (SSRMS)—to remove the right) and other STS-131 crew members Observational Research Facility (WORF), second spacewalk—or extra-vehicular with children at her former school. At Alan Poindexter, Commander of STS-131, conference. Astronaut Yamazaki com- 23 long-duration mission exchanged Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) added commentary to video taken on- an observational rack that was sub- activity (EVA)—of the STS-131 mission. the closing of the event, the two JAXA worked with lithium hydroxide (LiOH) mented that the mission was proceeding greetings. This marked an important Leonardo from the Discovery’s cargo bay orbit, which was transferred to Earth via sequently installed in the U.S. Destiny Their main task was the removal of an old astronauts teamed up for a musical duet, canisters, which were used to absorb smoothly thanks to good teamwork. occasion for Japanese space fl ight, as and attach it to the ISS. This marked the a downlink. Laboratory Module of the ISS. Astronauts Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA) and the playing the traditional Japanese folk song carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of the it was the fi rst time that two Japanese start of the transfer of materials, supplies entered and exited the platform through a installation of a new ATA. The ATA was “Sakura, Sakura” (Cherry Blossoms). shuttle’s environmental control and life astronauts had been aboard the and equipment brought by STS-131 central hatch. part of a radiator system used to remove Yamazaki played a miniature koto (Japa- support system (ECLSS). ISS simultaneously. from Earth. heat from the space station. nese stringed instrument) and Noguchi a ryuteki (bamboo fl ute) and a small 2 electric piano. 3 JAXA TODAY No. 02 Interview with Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki

must depend on being application of Space technology resupplied from Earth. in the medical and building apparatus, including such large We also have to reduce construction fi elds. Profi les items as the Minus Eighty-Degree our waste as much as Laboratory Freezer for ISS possible and make waste Yamazaki: Yes, particularly in Naoko Yamazaki and (MELFI). Together with JAXA very compact. the medical fi eld, some evidence the Space Shuttle STS-131 Astronaut Soichi Noguchi, Yamazaki suggests that spending time in transferred such equipment as Nishiura: So even in space may lead to premature aging mission the Muscle Atrophy Research and Space, we can’t get of the body. Loss of bone density Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off Exercise System (MARES), to be away from having to and muscular atrophy are some of from the Kennedy Space Center used in muscle and bone research, face the waste problem. the effects that have been observed. on April 5, 2010 (Japan standard and the Window Observational Because of this, astronauts must time), with JAXA Astronaut Naoko Research Facility (WORF), a new Yamazaki: No, we exercise to avoid a decline in Yamazaki aboard. Yamazaki is the science imaging platform. can’t. The problems physical strength and maintain fi rst Japanese woman to qualify as Before the Discovery’s docking occurring on Earth their muscles and bone density. It’s a Mission Specialist (MS), a position with the ISS and once again prior to are being played out in hoped that the results of research held by certain NASA astronauts its return to Earth, the crew carried miniature within the relating to the health management during Space Shuttle missions. out external inspections of the Photo by Hiro Arakawa very restricted quarters of astronauts can be used on Earth ©NASA The principal objectives of Space Shuttle’s body. Yamazaki was of the ISS. As a result, in such areas as medical care for mission STS-131 were to deliver assigned as one of the crew members training as she worked to realize the that Space development is critical many of the technologies used on the the aged. equipment and materials to be used maneuvering the Discovery’s robotic long-held dream of going into space. for the survival of humankind. Since ISS may be applied back on Earth. in scientifi c experiments aboard the arm and boom extension, which is you’ve actually been to and worked For example, since the food prepared Nishiura: How do you see Japan, ISS and to replenish the supplies equipped with cameras and sensors, Midori Nishiura in Space, please tell us your views for astronauts has to have a long and Japanese astronauts in the needed by the astronauts living to inspect the portside wing and Midori Nishiura, an opinion leader, on these important global issues. shelf life, only foods that meet very world of Space development? on the space station. Astronaut nose cap of the Space Shuttle. After president of consulting fi rm Amadeus stringent hygiene standards can be Yamazaki was assigned as the approximately two weeks in space, Inc., advisor to JAXA on public Yamazaki: I think that the ISS can used. These hygiene standards are Yamazaki: The Japanese mission’s load master and as one of the Discovery safely made its reentry affairs, and Visiting Professor at be seen as a microcosm of the Earth. currently utilized for processed Experiment Module Kibo is very the operators of the robotic arms and landing. Yamaguchi University, among many sophisticated, and I believe that of both the ISS and the Space When Yamazaki was a junior other important roles, has served it’ll prove its worth as a world- Shuttle. The Multi-Purpose Logistics high school student, she saw the on the Advisory Board of various class laboratory. The contribution Module (MPLM) Leonardo, which news of the Space Shuttle Challenger major companies and also sits on We’re moving toward an era where the con- of the H-II Transfer Vehicle was packed with the materials accident. The desire to carry on the committees organized by government “tribution of Japanese people to world space (HTV) resupply spacecraft is also and equipment to be delivered, work of the astronauts who lost their ministries and agencies. Author of signifi cant, and these achievements was transported to the ISS in the lives in this accident was one of the many books as well as articles in development will continue to grow and are recognized by astronauts from Discovery’s payload bay. Using the things that motivated Yamazaki leading publications, Ms. Nishiura, all of the countries participating in ISS’ robotic arm, Yamazaki moved to become an astronaut herself. having conducted her own interview eclipse even what we’ve seen to date the ISS. As someone from Japan, the Leonardo MPLM from the Since her selection as an astronaut programs on television, is often I fi nd this very gratifying. I think shuttle’s cargo bay and attached it to candidate in 1999, Yamazaki has called upon to commentate on —Naoko Yamazaki that we’re moving toward an era the ISS. Inside the Leonardo module undertaken 11 years of rigorous the news. ” where the contribution of Japanese was a wide range of experiment On the ISS, people are living within food-hygiene management in the people to world space development a very limited space, and water United States. will continue to grow and eclipse and air must be recycled. Urine is even what we’ve seen to date. purifi ed back into drinking water, Nishiura: I’ve heard that Space I’m totally committed to helping and carbon dioxide is extracted from development-related technology Japan’s space development efforts in JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi returns to Earth after completing the air we exhale and oxygen is was applied to the design of a whatever way I can. the longest mission in space by a Japanese astronaut added so that it becomes breathable new shape of beer can to achieve air again. Since we can’t yet both lightness and strength. There returned to Earth aboard a Soyuz we are moving closer to an era in produce our own food on the ISS, we are also high expectations for the spacecraft together with fellow crew which people from Japan and many members from the United States and other countries will live in space.” Russia. During his mission, Noguchi Noguchi emphasized that mankind’s Flight Day 11Flight Day 12 Flight Day 13 Flight Day 16 helped operate and maintain the scope of activities in space will ISS’ systems and conducted a continue to expand in the future. variety of scientifi c experiments that utilized the space environment. At a post-return press conference held at JAXA’s Houston Offi ce, Noguchi commented, “Through press conferences and The start of the day on the ISS: the crew enjoy breakfast. other opportunities I want to Mission Specialists Naoko Yamazaki After securing the Leonardo The crews of STS-131 After landing back on communicate to the people of Japan and Stephanie Wilson operated the ISS’ module in the shuttle’s pay- and Expedition 23 said Earth, Astronaut Yamazaki ©NASA robotic arm to detach the Leonardo mod- load bay (left-hand photo), the crew began their farewells prior to the undocking gave an energetic smile as she stood next the things I experienced, saw and ule from the ISS. On this day, the crew the late inspection of Discovery’s heat shield. of the Space Shuttle from the ISS. The to the Space Shuttle Discovery. Yamazaki On June 2, 2010, after a 161-day heard during my six-month long- maneuvered the module into a low-hover Astronaut Yamazaki used the shuttle’s right-hand photo was taken from the said that she was glad to have successfully long-duration mission on the ISS, duration mission in space. I want to position above Discovery’s payload bay. robotic arm and orbiter boom sensor system ISS after undocking. The Discovery was completed her mission and was happy to JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi let people know that, step-by-step, After breakfast, it’s time to start work! (OBSS) to carry out the inspection. docked to the ISS for 10 days, 5 hours and feel Earth’s beautiful nature. ©NASA 8 minutes.

4 5 JAXA TODAY No. 02 Akatsuki: On a mission to continuously map Venusian meteorology in high-resolution 3-D IKAROS: A space yacht harnessing the power of the sun

Akatsuki: On a mission to continuously map Venusian meteorology in high-resolution 3-D

©Akihiro Ikeshita How did Venus—so similar to Earth in many respects —end up with such a hostile climate? What forces are A new dawn driving its sulfuric acid clouds at such fi erce speed IKAROS: A space yacht around the planet? Answers to these and other ques- Unlike many Japanese space tions may provide vital clues to understanding climate missions that have received harnessing the power of the sun change here on Earth. their names after canvassing public opinion, the name Akatsuki, the Venus climate orbiter cover, and offers a tantalizing op- “Akatsuki” was chosen by the JAXA’s Small Solar Power Sail Dem- The IKAROS Mission also known as PLANET-C, was portunity to unravel one of the solar onstrator IKAROS was launched with project team during the devel- Minimum success: Achieved deployment of the large membrane launched from the Tanegashima system’s greatest mysteries: the Achieved Space Center on May 21, 2010, super-rotation of Venus’ atmosphere. opment phase of the PLANET- the Venus Climate Orbiter Akatsuki and power generation by the thin-fi lm solar cells and is currently on its six-month During Akatsuki’s voyage to C project. The Japanese word by an H-IIA Launch Vehicle from the Full success: Acceleration verifi cation and navigation technology interplanetary cruise to rendezvous Venus, JAXA is conducting tests akatsuki refers to the period Tanegashima Space Center on May acquisition by the solar sail with Venus in late 2010. After be- of the probe’s systems and equip- when the fi rst light is visible in 21, 2010. IKAROS—an acronym of Venus ing inserted into an elliptical orbit ment, making sure all is ready for the eastern skies just before that will oscillate between 300 and its planned observation program. Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated (5) Full success 80,000 kilometers above the planet’s It is hoped that data gathered by sunrise. This is the time when • Orbit control by Radiation Of the Sun—subsequently (in six months) and navigation equator, Akatsuki will commence a Akatsuki will complement that of Venus is at its most beauti- Earth achieved its trajectory and is cur- Minimum success technology two-year mission to gather a myriad the European Space Agency’s Venus ful. Hence, akatsuki not only rently on its interplanetary journey (in a few weeks) using solar sail of data on the Venusian atmosphere Express probe, which is now operat- means the dawn of a new day (4) and its meteorological phenomena. ing in a polar orbit around Venus toward Venus. Assistant Professor • Acceleration experiment but also implies a strong sense by solar sail The highlight of this mission will and making observations with a dif- of hope and anticipation. In Osamu Mori, the project leader, (1) (3) be a continuous stream of high- ferent array of instruments to those • H-IIA launch (2) • Membrane deployment provides an overview of the • Spin down (1–2 rpm) resolution 3-D images to be provided on Akatsuki. this sense, the name signifi es • Sun pointing • Radio telemetry on IKAROS mission. • Spin separation • Initial operation checks • Solar power generation by Akatsuki’s fi ve main scientifi c In the next issue of JAXA the project team’s determina- (5 rpm) • Spin up (25 rpm) and by thin-fi lm solar cells instruments, each operating at dif- TODAY, we are planning an in-depth tion for the mission to begin deployment ferent wavelengths ranging from feature on the Akatsuki mission and achieve success. infrared to ultraviolet. This array its background, and look forward to will enable the spacecraft to peer reporting the latest progress. through the thick Venusian cloud 6 7 JAXA TODAY No. 02 IKAROS: A space yacht harnessing the power of the sun

Schematic Illustration of the Unfurled Solar Sail Membrane Deployment Sequence and Mechanism

Tip mass: 0.5 kilogram weights for unfurling the Tip mass separation membrane and keeping it extended 5 rpm 2 rpm

Dust counter: piezoelectric element to measure the Separation from Spin down Tip mass distribution of space dust launch vehicle Tip mass separation was completed

Tethers: connecting the main body and sail membrane Activate tip mass separation mechanism to separate all four tip masses simultaneously Thin-fi lm solar cells: 25-micrometer thickness amorphous silicon cells First-stage deployment (quasi-static): Approximately one hour 25rpm Liquid crystal device: refl ectance adjusted for attitude As the membrane deploys, the spin rate slows control 5 rpm Assistant Professor Osamu Mori Approx. 15 m Lunar and Planetary Exploration Program Stopper Membrane: 7.5-micrometer thickness polyimide resin with aluminium vapor deposited on one side; reinforced to Group prevent splitting (rotation guide) The membrane gradually Spin up to 25 rpm and start the fi rst stage of deployment by activating deploys through centrifugal Completion of fi rst-stage the stopper (rotation guide), which holds the membrane in place, with force as the relative rotation deployment mechanism activates Two main objectives of the IKAROS cells. For example, even if we sent a shape measuring 20 meters along the relative motion mechanism (motor drive) mission spacecraft on a mission to a planet the diagonal. For the launch into Second-stage deployment (dynamic): Approximately fi ve seconds; approximately 100 seconds before vibration settles as far from the sun as Jupiter, it space, the sail membrane is packed As the membrane is released The primary objective of the would still be possible to generate away. The membrane is accordion- it deploys dynamically 2 rpm IKAROS mission is to demonstrate suffi cient electricity for such a pleated and the four tips, which the solar sail, which may be simply mission using a solar array on form a cross like a kite, are wound described as a “space yacht.” While the sail. around the small disc-shaped a yacht is propelled forward by central body of the spacecraft. When Completion of harnessing the power of the wind in Unfurling the solar sail using the sail is deployed, it is simply a Activate the stopper (rotation guide) Approx. 20 m second-stage its sails, a solar sail harnesses the centrifugal force matter of reversing this process. and release the hold of the membrane deployment to start second-stage deployment power of sunlight, or more precisely, We use the centrifugal force from the pressure created by photons The sail is an extremely thin the spacecraft’s spinning motion Image taken by DCAM2 Image taken by DCAM1 confi rms that the Jupiter and Trojan Asteroids from the sun. Hence, IKAROS is membrane—its thickness is just to deploy the sail. Although the shows the fully unfurled sail liquid crystal devices are operating properly Exploration Program (Future Plan) an interplanetary spacecraft that 7.5 micrometers—made from a spacecraft spins at approximately requires no propellant fuel to move polyimide resin that provides 25 revolutions per minute (rpm) through space. excellent durability in the space prior to the sail opening, from the Another objective of the environment. Polyimide is used time the sail is unfurled the craft Liquid crystal device power was off IKAROS mission is power extensively as an insulation gradually slows down to 1–2 rpm to generation using thin-fi lm solar material on satellites. The sail keep the sail in its opened position. cells. This is an original idea— is partly covered with thin-fi lm This is called the spin-deployment Ultra-thin solar sail embedding an array of solar cells amorphous silicon solar cells, which method. Liquid crystal device power was on into the membrane of a solar sail, have been deployed together with Thin-fi lm solar cells which generates electricity from the solar sail itself. Compared with Steadily achieving its mission ©Akihiro Ikeshita the sunlight it receives. For the the conventional hard solar panels since launch solar sail to harness the sunlight’s used on satellites, IKAROS’ solar sail and generation of electricity the spacecraft by a spring. The solar cells, conduct the fi rst-ever pressure, it must have a large cells are very lightweight. Within the IKAROS mission, we set from the solar cells. We successfully images captured by the camera are demonstration of acceleration surface area, and this allows us to When fully deployed, the as our benchmarks for “minimum deployed the sail on June 9 at a relayed to the main craft via radio by sunlight photon pressure and incorporate a large area of solar sail membrane is a square kite success” the deployment of the solar distance of 7.4 million kilometers communications. The detached verify the orbit control through from Earth, and on the following camera did not return to the main that acceleration. Hence, we aim to day we succeeded in generating spacecraft but instead became the acquire navigation technology by Position of the Detachable Cameras and Labeled Image of the Camera (Common design for DCAM1 and DCAM2) power using the solar cell array. Our “world’s smallest satellite.” using a solar sail. If we can do all minimum success benchmarks were The second detachable camera this, the mission will have achieved Camera (common design for both cameras) both world fi rsts. (DCAM1) was also successfully “full success.” Subsequently, on June 14, deployed on June 19, providing In the future, under the Radio antenna using one of two tiny deployable images of the entire sail. Since Jupiter and Trojan Asteroids DCAM1 Wide-angle lens cameras (DCAM2) carried by the DCAM1 detached slowly and began Exploration Program we plan to spacecraft, we successfully captured capturing images from a close send an interplanetary probe using images of the fully deployed sail. distance, we were able to confi rm a solar power sail to explore the area Solar array panel (SAP) This remarkable accomplishment from these images the operational around Jupiter. For that mission, DCAM2 is the fi rst time that images have status of the liquid crystal devices we will use a much bigger sail been captured of the main body of that are embedded in the sail, whose measuring about 50 meters along Camera body an interplanetary spacecraft using refl ectance can be adjusted for the diagonal. In addition to the a camera that detaches in deep attitude control. sail, the spacecraft will be a hybrid space. The camera is a cylindrical From here on, over a period of carrying an ion engine enabling it device measuring approximately about six months we will measure to accelerate freely as it heads for Assistant Professor Mori (bottom right) and other six centimeters in both diameter and observe the power-generating Jupiter and the Trojan asteroids. members of the IKAROS project team participate in an operational meeting. and height and was detached from performance of the thin-fi lm 8 9 Copy inhibit All right reserved

Hayabusa’s triumphant return

“As the small light moved from its low position in the northwest sky toward a higher position in the southeast, it slowly grew brighter. As we gazed up, we saw what appeared to be a huge explosion in the night sky directly in front of us. The dazzling light—like a display of fi reworks—glowed above the nighttime desert. Gasps and shouts of excitement rang out. The light continued on—descending in a straight line toward the southeast as it gradually scattered and dispersed. It fi nally disappeared in a wisp just before it crossed in front of the Milky Way. I had thought for a moment that I could hear the loud reverberation of an explosion, but in reality there was no sound at all...” (continued on page 16)

Photograph: Hiroshi Yamaguchi http://www.yamane-offi ce.co.jp/

10 11 JAXA TODAY No. 02 Asteroid explorer Hayabusa completes its return mission using ion engines

Seeking a mission with novel An overview of Hayabusa’s challenges

seven-year voyage Around the end of the 1980s, the Institute of Space and Astronauti- Hayabusa—whose name means “peregrine falcon” in Japanese—was cal Science (ISAS)—at the time launched on May 9, 2003, on an M-V rocket on a mission to the asteroid affi liated to Japan’s Ministry of Itokawa, which travels in an elliptical orbit between the orbits of Earth and Education, Science, Sports and Cul- Mars. Hayabusa’s primary objective was to take a sample from the aster- ture—and NASA’s Jet Propulsion oid and return it to Earth. Asteroids are thought to retain a comparatively Laboratory (JPL) established a joint signifi cant amount of information relating to the period during which the study group on planetary explora- Earth, Venus and other planets were born. Hence, if a sample could be re- tion. Although the main themes of turned from an asteroid it may provide important clues to such questions as the group were comet probes and “What substances were the bases for planet formation?” asteroid rendezvous observations, On September 12, 2005, Hayabusa effected a rendezvous with Itokawa, the scale of NASA’s bold plans were and during October of that year it carried out detailed observations of the overwhelming for us. Even the types asteroid’s surface. In November, although Hayabusa made two touchdowns of missions that we at ISAS could onto the asteroid’s surface, shortly afterward a fuel leak caused the space- not even contemplate yet were being craft to malfunction and lose communication with its controllers back on realized by NASA through efforts Earth. Although communication was recovered in January 2006, at that point Hayabusa was found to be rotating and drifting off in the wrong di- combining existing technologies. rection. The project team needed to correct the spacecraft’s attitude, but It was around this time that two of the craft’s three reaction wheels—essential to attitude control—had we began to set our sights on novel malfunctioned, leaving just a single functioning reaction wheel. Despite this and ambitious missions of our own. severe handicap, the project team managed to redirect Hayabusa’s rota- What we came up with—without tion axis, and in April 2007 the spacecraft was able to take advantage of a fully parsing all the implications— launch window to fi nally enter its return trajectory to Earth. Owing to the was a “sample-return mission to an large number of problems and equipment failures along the way, its return asteroid using ion engines.” At the to Earth had been delayed three years compared with the original schedule. time, Japan was still a relative new- ©Akihiro Ikeshita Whether or not Hayabusa had been able to obtain a sample from Itokawa comer in the space exploration fi eld, would not be known until after its return home. so such a mission seemed a very big Just as Hayabusa’s return seemed to be at hand in November 2009, stretch indeed. However, it was the a further problem occurred with the loss of operation of all the craft’s ion accumulated know-how fostered at Asteroid explorer Hayabusa engines. However, the project team combined the functioning parts of two ISAS that allowed us to aim for such engines to successfully convert to “cross operation” of the ion engines. After an ambitious target. In 1995, we such a drama-fi lled mission, Hayabusa made its miraculous return to Earth made a successful funding request completes its return mission on June 13, 2010. Although the main body of the spacecraft burned up after and the project commenced in the reentry to the atmosphere, the sample-return capsule, which had been re- following year. leased immediately before reentry, landed safely in the South Australian using ion engines Outback within the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). The capsule was re- covered soon after and is presently undergoing preparations for full analysis of its content. Hayabusa’s core mission was to collect and return to Earth a surface sample . from the asteroid Itokawa. When Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule June 5 June 13 touched down, it completed the world’s 19:51 Command sent to Hayabusa for the fi rst-ever return space mission to a release of the sample-return capsule (Sagamihara Campus Control Room) celestial body other than the moon. In Immediately after the command is sent, a this special feature article, Hayabusa disturbance is detected in Hayabusa’s attitude and Dr. Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi Dr. Hitoshi Kuninaka the capsule separation is confi rmed. Hayabusa’s fi nal project manager Professor Jun’ichiro mission begins, as it attempts to capture images Sagamihara Campus Control Project Manager, Group Leader, Spacecraft of Earth. Room Kawaguchi and ion engine develop- System, JSPEC The operation support staff receive bouquets Program Director, Lunar and Recovery base camp set-up of fl owers. ment manager Professor Hitoshi Planetary Exploration Program Professor, 22:27 The recovery crew begins 15:06 Group (JSPEC) Space Transportation, ISAS Kuninaka provided insights into the setting up its antennae and All radio communications from JAXA Subaru Telescope captures Professor, Department of Space other equipment to be used for images of Hayabusa Hayabusa cease many unique innovations the Hayabu- the capsule recovery. Uchinoura Space Center (Kagoshima) Systems and Astronautics, Subaru Telescope—operated by the All signals from Hayabusa being tracked by the Institute of Space and National Astronomical Observatory of sa project team utilized to realize this Uchinoura Space Center go dead. Communication Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan at the Mauna Kea Observatory is lost. When signals cease, Hayabusa is part way extraordinary return space voyage on Hawai’i—successfully captures JAXA Timeline of the through transmission of data of its fi nal image of images of Hayabusa, which is 22:51 Earth. spanning more than seven years and capsule’s return approximately 170,000 kilometers from Reentry fi reball observed six billion kilometers. and recovery Earth. Its magnitude of brightness was (NASA’s DC-8 Airborne Laboratory) approximately +21. The photograph The glowing spacecraft and capsule with shows Subaru Telescope on the left-hand heat trail. side of the Mauna Kea summit. ©NASA 12 13 JAXA TODAY No. 02 Asteroid explorer Hayabusa completes its return mission using ion engines

Choosing a target asteroid months later, we were able to regain Eventually the team’s efforts paid radio contact with Hayabusa. At off when we were able to regain The heat shield that protected Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule From among the limited number of that point the craft was drifting off some attitude control by utilizing small celestial bodies that we could course and we were unable to thrust the tiniest amount of solar power. target for exploration, we focused the ion engines in the direction re- With this spin-stabilized state The separation of Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule from the main narrow down the area in which the heat shield landed. The capsule on an asteroid called “1998 SF36,” quired. The fi rst thing we needed to achieved, we were able to fi re up the spacecraft took place at 7:51 p.m. (Japan Standard Time) on June 13, was quickly located and recovery commenced during daylight hours the which offered a good launch window accomplish was an attitude correc- ion engines once more. 2010, just three hours before reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere. following day, and the heat shield components were also recovered. opportunity. However, we concluded tion of the craft’s spin axis. Unfor- We then moved to begin the It is estimated that during reentry the capsule was exposed to After a seven-year, six-billion-kilometer journey through deep that the capabilities of the M-V tunately, owing to a fuel leak, the second phase of the trajectory ma- temperatures in the range of 10,000–20,000˚C. Although the velocity space, the recovery of the sample-return capsule, parachute and heat rocket launch vehicle alone would chemical engines—needed for the neuver operation in February 2009. of the capsule during descent through the atmosphere reached ap- shield marked an important milestone in the history of mankind’s not be suffi cient to reach this target. attitude correction maneuver—were proximately 12 kilometers per second (km/s), or about 1.5 times its space exploration. It meant that Hayabusa had become the fi rst space- After considering many different not functioning. In the case of a con- Ion engines shut down during speed at reentry from its Earth orbit, it had to withstand more than 10 craft to visit an asteroid and return to Earth. Moreover, the successful options, we developed the concept of ventional spacecraft, at this point return leg times the amount of heat compared with the reentry point. To protect return has signifi cant value from the perspective of future sample- a return voyage combining an Earth we would have given up. Luckily, the capsule from such extreme temperatures, it was equipped with a return missions to bodies within the solar system. State-of-the-art swing-by with ion engines. The however, we were able to success- In mid-October 2009, as Hayabusa specially developed heat shield. reentry technology is an essential part of such missions, and through trajectory plan entailed the probe fully perform an ejection of the ion was cruising on its return leg, we A simple way to describe the heat shield’s basic two-piece Hayabusa Japan has acquired—by its own efforts—fi rst-hand orbiting the Earth for a year, operat- engines’ xenon gas propellant to discovered high neutralizer voltage structure would be as a “bowl with lid”—the bowl facing forward and evidence that can be utilized to further advance this fi eld. ing its ion engines and building up regain attitude control. Our original in one of the ion engines, which we the lid at the rear. The heat shield’s two main constituent materials energy, and then making an Earth engineering design had never even suspected was caused degradation were carbon-fi ber-reinforced plastic (CFRP)—which is used for such gravity assist swing-by for accelera- contemplated this way of using the and which suggested the neutralizer applications as high-end sports equipment and aircraft structural com- From capsule separation to touchdown tion toward the asteroid. In August xenon gas. was nearing the end of its operating ponents—and carbon phenolic resin, one of many types of phenolic 2003, after the launch of Hayabusa, In February 2007, we reignited life. Under normal circumstances, 19:51 resin, which are commonly found in kitchen goods and household Capsule separates The capsule’s reentry fire trail the International Astronomical the ion engines and between April if either the neutralizer or thruster appliances. from the main spacecraft Union (IAU) offi cially named the as- and October of that year we per- exhaust fails, it means that the ion When carbon phenolic resin is exposed to extremely high tem- teroid for Professor Hideo Itokawa, formed the fi rst phase of the trajec- engine can no longer be used. Our peratures, it becomes an ablative material—it gasifi es and creates a a Japanese aerospace engineer tory maneuver operation in prepara- initial response was to try and delay thin boundary layer, which carries the heat away by convection. This 22:56 who pioneered the country’s space tion for the return to Earth. the neutralizer’s failure by carefully Altitude: 5 km provides the heat-shield effect, thereby preventing the capsule from 22:51 (1) Heat shield jettisoned development efforts. Hayabusa The situation, though, was controlling engine output. However, heating above a certain temperature. Hayabusa’s sample-return cap- Altitude: 200 km Heat shield (2) Parachute deployed effected a rendezvous with Itokawa still quite tenuous. Only one of the on the night of November 3, the neu- Capsule encounters (Backplate) (3) Radio beacon activated sule was able to provide important data to verify what thickness the the Earth’s atmosphere in September 2005 and soon spacecraft’s three reaction wheels tralizer voltage increased once again resin layer needed to be to withstand the extreme heat generated commenced observations. for controlling attitude movement and the ion engine autonomously during atmospheric reentry. was working and we could not use shut down due to this malfunc- During the capsule’s descent, its velocity gradually decreased due A series of crises: communication the chemical engines at all. In any tion. Even though some of the team Heat shield to atmospheric resistance. When it reached a certain altitude, a pyro- (Body) lost after Itokawa landings; attitude case, ion engines can only be used thought that this really was the end technic mechanism triggered the jettisoning of the heat shield from control becomes inoperable if a spacecraft’s attitude is stable. of the line for Hayabusa, we had one the sample-return capsule. The two pieces of the heat shield then fell Since we could not achieve this, we last trick up our sleeve. Ion engines to Earth separately while a parachute was deployed by the capsule to In late 2005, Hayabusa made two had to utilize a makeshift method comprise pairs of ion thrusters and 23:08 slow its fi nal drop to the ground. The location of the capsule was then Touchdown touchdowns on the asteroid, the fi rst of operation. At the start of the fi rst neutralizers. Hence, our fi nal work- tracked using radar and an onboard radio beacon. on November 20 and then again phase of the trajectory maneuver around involved the “cross opera- There was almost no wind in the landing area during the night of Woomera on November 26. However, shortly operation, we were unable to obtain tion” of previously separate pairs of the capsule’s return to Earth, making it possible to quickly identify the thereafter, in December 2005, we attitude stability. It felt a bit like neutralizers and thrusters. In specifi c drop-point zone with a high degree of accuracy and (All times are Japan Standard Time on June 13, 2010) lost all communication with the herding cats—unresponsive— effect, we salvaged the parts spacecraft. Eventually, about two but we persisted nevertheless. that remained in working order (continued on page 16) June 14 June 15 June 16 June 18 Surface cleaning and packing of the capsule Temporary clean room at the WPA Control Center

Capsule safety procedures Public viewing room at the 23:56 At a temporary clean room at the WPA June 17 Sagamihara Campus Capsule located in the Woomera Control Center; the photograph shows More than 1,000 people gather late Prohibited Area (WPA) the capsule with its underside cover removed. at night at the Sagamihara Campus The capsule and parachute are sited by the 14:00 (approximate) to view and cheer on Hayabusa’s helicopter search team. fi ery fi nale. Heat shield located The heat shield body and backplate are both found in the vicinity of the capsule’s touchdown Capsule retrieval point. The recovery crew wear special protective equipment and clothing while rendering the capsule safe by cutting cables leading Packing of the capsule Departure for Japan 2:15 WPA Control Center to the pyrotechnic mechanism (used to WPA Control Center A charter aircraft with the capsule on Arrival at Sagamihara Campus jettison the heat shield). They also take Special container for board departs from a nearby airport. The Recovery team leader Professor Hitoshi Kuninaka The capsule is taken into the planetary sample curation samples of sand at the landing spot for transporting the capsule is fi lled non-stop fl ight arrives at Haneda Airport, and Woomera Test Range operations manager John facility. reference purposes during return-sample with nitrogen gas. Tokyo, late the same evening. McKevett shake hands on hearing the news of the analysis. Heat shield retrieval 14 capsule’s discovery. 15 JAXA TODAY No. 02 Tokyo hosts International Space Station (ISS) heads of agency (HOA) meeting

from among Hayabusa’s four ion engines. Hayabusa: A seven-year journey

Leveraging the lessons from Hayabusa into new projects 2003 May 9: Launched from the Uchinoura Space Center. The probe is named We aimed to drop the sample-return “Hayabusa.” capsule into the Woomera Prohib- ited Area (WPA) test range in South 2004 Australia. To enable this precise May 19: Successful acceleration for orbit transfer using the ion engines and target to be achieved, we performed an Earth gravity-assist swing-by. Dr. Keiji Tachikawa Mr. Charles F. Bolden, Jr. Dr. Anatoly N. Perminov Mr. Jean-Jacques Dordain Dr. Steve MacLean The M-V-5 Rocket lifts off at a trajectory correction maneuver 13:29:25. President of the Japan Aerospace Administrator of the United States Head of the Russian Federal Director General of the European President of the Canadian Space on June 9, 2010, at a distance of 2005 Exploration Agency (JAXA) National Aeronautics and Space Space Agency (FSA) Space Agency (ESA) Agency (CSA) July 26: JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi lifts off aboard Space Shuttle Administration (NASA) 1.9 million kilometers from Earth. His previous roles have Prior to his current role, he Previous posts have included In 1983, he was selected as This maneuver marked the fi nal Discovery (touchdown on August 9). included President and CEO He served on four missions served as Commander-in- Director of Launchers at the one of Canada’s fi rst astro- August 15: JAXA announces the failure of Hayabusa’s X-axis reaction wheel. of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. He aboard the space shuttle, Chief of the Russian Space ESA. He has held the role of nauts. He was appointed to task for the ion engines. On June was appointed to his current including as commander. He Force. He has been Head of Director General since 2003. his current post in 2008. 13, the sample-return capsule was September 12: Arrives at Itokawa asteroid. Commences scientifi c position in November 2004. was appointed to his current the FSA since 2004. released and three hours later the observations. post in 2009. main body of Hayabusa encountered October 4: JAXA announces the failure of Hayabusa’s Y-axis reaction wheel. the Earth’s atmosphere and burned Hayabusa nears the Earth for November 4, 9 and 12: Performs touchdown rehearsals. cooperation and their outlook for the its swing-by. November 20: Performs the fi rst touchdown and release of a target marker. future. Dr. MacLean of CSA said, up on reentry. The fi nal sight of (Image by Akihiro Ikeshita) Tokyo hosts International Space Hayabusa—lighting up the night November 26: Performs second touchdown. After taking off again, Hayabusa “The partnerships forged through sky over Australia—was both awe enters safe holding mode. ISS cooperation will become a model inspiring and humbling. December 8: A fuel leak from a chemical engine causes a malfunction Station (ISS) heads of agency for the future.” Mr. Dordain of ESA Initially we had contemplated and loss of correct attitude. JAXA announces a three-year postponement of commented, “The ISS cooperation purchasing the sample-return cap- Hayabusa’s return to Earth. Shortly thereafter, JAXA loses communication with (HOA) meeting partnerships will continue beyond sule’s heat shield—needed to protect the probe. the ISS project.” Commenting on the it from the extreme heat generated Itokawa asteroid. Image captured Obama administration’s announce- on September 29, 2005. during reentry—from a manufac- 2006 ment that the fi scal year 2011 turer in the United States. However, January 26: JAXA reestablishes partial communications with Hayabusa. budget request includes funding to after considering the core data the March 6: Hayabusa’s position and speed are precisely measured for the fi rst extend operation of the ISS to 2020, heat shield could provide, which time in three months. Mr. Bolden of NASA said, “If we would have a signifi cant impact on June 2: Science runs a feature on asteroid Itokawa. extend the life of the ISS to 2020 future atmospheric reentry tech- or beyond, it will enable us to nology, we decided to develop the Hayabusa captures an image 2007 undertake the research necessary Hayabusa heat shield in-house. We of the target marker (inside January 18: Using the malfunctioning batteries, JAXA seals the sample- for Mars exploration.” the marked circle to the left of Dr. Perminov of FSA stated, believe that this decision has proved Hayabusa’s shadow). return capsule. to be the right one. April: Commences the fi rst phase of trajectory maneuver operation (continues “We will utilize the Russian segment Although we encountered in- until October) in preparation for return to Earth. of the ISS effectively to conduct numerable problems along the way, high-level space research.” He also after the completion of a seven-year, 2009 announced plans for the construc- six-billion-kilometer journey and February: Commences the second phase of trajectory maneuver operation tion of the new Vostochny space capping it off with a miraculous March 16: JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata lifts off aboard Space Shuttle port in the Amur region of Russia’s return to Earth, we think it is fair Discovery (touchdown on July 31 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor). The panel discussion following the HOA meeting emphasized the importance of the partnership Far East. Dr. Tachikawa of JAXA between the participating countries. to say that Hayabusa was a space July 22: A total solar eclipse is observed in Japan for the fi rst time in 46 commented, “We will continue to explorer endowed with great luck. years. build upon the technology developed Turning that luck into real-world Hayabusa and Itokawa feature November 4: JAXA announces that all ion engines have shut down and The heads of the ISS agencies from Japan, the United through ISS cooperation. In the fu- on the cover of Science. ture, we hope to use the H-II Trans- capabilities is our job from now on. reignition has not succeeded. States, Russia, Europe and Canada met in Tokyo on We hope that many people in Japan November 19: Succeeds in the cross operation of ion engines. Commences fer Vehicle (HTV) for the return of and around the world will support the return to Earth. March 11, 2010, to review ISS cooperation. cargo to Earth and we see potential us in our new projects, which aim December 21: JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi lifts off aboard Soyuz. for the HTV to become the basis to leverage and build on the lessons The meeting was attended by the completion, a joint statement issued for the development of a manned fi ve heads of agency, Dr. Keiji by the heads of agency following the vehicle. In looking toward opportu- and success of Hayabusa. The 64-meter parabola antenna at 2010 Usuda Deep Space Center handled March 27: Completes the orbit transfer operation from Itokawa to Earth. Tachikawa, President of JAXA; Mr. meeting noted the outstanding op- nities to expand the utilization of communications with Hayabusa. Continuous operation of the ion engines is completed. Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Adminis- portunities now offered by the ISS the ISS, we proposed international April 5: JAXA Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki lifts off aboard Space Shuttle trator of the National Aeronautics for on-orbit research and discovery. collaboration on experiments in such “Just in front of the scattering light trail made Discovery (touchdown on April 20). and Space Administration (NASA); They emphasized that this research fi elds as biosciences.” Mr. Dordain by Hayabusa, a single, small red light continued on—moving higher and higher—without April 16: JAXA receives landing permission from the Australian government. Dr. Anatoly N. Perminov, Head of will deliver benefi ts to humanity on also said, “I believe that wonderful disappearing. It could be clearly seen until it Commences trajectory correction maneuver in preparation for reentry. the Russian Federal Space Agency Earth while preparing the way for ideas for the use of the ISS will also too faded out, just above the Southern Cross. (FSA); Mr. Jean-Jacques Dordain, future exploration activities beyond emerge from countries that are not That small red light was the capsule released by May 21: Launch of the Venus explorer Akatsuki and the small solar power sail Hayabusa. I was sure that it had landed. Truly, an demonstrator IKAROS. Director General of the European low-Earth orbit. represented here today.” The heads incredible journey.” Space Agency (ESA); and Dr. Steve At the panel discussion that of agency all agreed on this point— Preparations are being carried June 2: JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi touches down aboard Soyuz. The text on page 10 and above is excerpted from: out for initial analysis work June 9: Completes trajectory correction maneuver in preparation for reentry. MacLean, President of the Canadian followed the HOA meeting, each of they welcome participation in Shohwakusei Tansaki Hayabusa no Daibouken at the planetary sample Operation of the ion engines is completed. Space Agency (CSA). With the the agency heads offered their views the ISS program from as many (Hayabusa’s Great Journey: The Adventure Tale of curation facility within JAXA’s Japan’s Asteroid Probe) Sagamihara Campus. June 13: Sample-return capsule returns to Earth. assembly of the ISS nearing on the signifi cance of ISS countries as possible. by Kazuma Yamane Published by Magazine House, Tokyo 16 17 JAXA TODAY No. 02 JAXA promotes the use of space by countries in Asia and the Pacifi c: Space Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia-Pacifi c Region

the space environment, and space education. To achieve our objectives, JAXA promotes the use of we will collaborate with relevant organizations throughout the region space by countries in Asia to formulate plans and bring these plans to fruition. Furthermore, we will monitor the progress of our and the Pacifi c: Space activities to identify and implement improvements. We want to utilize the experience we gain in future Cooperation Offi ce for the projects. These efforts aim to systematize the overall promotion of Asia-Pacifi c Region space utilization. Mr. Chu Ishida Director, Space Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia Pacifi c Region, Space Images taken by ALOS of the area in Sichuan, China, devastated by a magnitude 7.9 Applications Mission Directorate earthquake in May 2008. The left-hand image was taken before the earthquake struck, and the right-hand image was taken shortly after the earthquake. The image reveals the extent to which “MICHIBIKI” in mid-2010. In the town shown was engulfed by a landslide. doing so, Japan will join China http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/jaxas/pdf/jaxas031.pdf and India as countries in Asia that operate global navigation satellite and design of the Sentinel Asia Q: How is the Satellite Technology systems (GNSS). At APRSAF-16, system. This process aims to for the Asia-Pacifi c Region (STAR) we held a workshop on regional respond effectively to the needs Program promoting the spread GNSS cooperation, which discussed identifi ed by each participating of basic technology for small potential applications combining the country. JAXA is also tasked satellites? systems of countries in the region with implementing the system and beyond. As a result of this through collaboration with all of Ishida: Responding to a high level workshop, we are aiming to initiate the participating agencies. JAXA’s of interest and growing needs a project on GNSS utilizing central role in Sentinel Asia refl ects in the Asia region relating to multiple satellites. its position as the operator of ALOS, small satellites, Japan proposed which provides high-quality data. the STAR Program in 2008. As Sentinel Asia: Playing a Key Role There are already high expectations a joint international project, the in Disaster Monitoring for ALOS2, the planned successor STAR Program got under way in APRSAF-16 discussed such issues The successful conclusion of APRSAF-16 in Bangkok. APRSAF-17 is scheduled to take place in as the use of satellites in dealing with Melbourne, Australia, on November 23–26, 2010. APRSAF was established in 1993 in response to ALOS. June 2009 at JAXA’s Sagamihara environmental issues and promoting greater to the declaration adopted by the Asia-Pacifi c International Space Year Conference (APIC) in Q: Asia has a very large number of Campus. Several countries in the utilization of the space environment. 1992, to enhance the development of each country's space program and exchange views on natural disasters compared with An Expanding Range of Activities Asia-Pacifi c region are participating future cooperation in space activities in the Asia-Pacifi c region. other regions of the world, which under the SAFE Project in this program, which is the fi rst URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/ makes the role of Sentinel Asia of its kind in the world. Specifi cally, Overall Flow of Sentinel Asia particularly vital. Were there any Q: Please provide a brief overview the participating countries plan to Space agencies The 16th Session of the Asia-Pacifi c Regional Space previously existing frameworks for of the SAFE project. cooperate in fostering their human cooperation in this area? resources through the actual Agency Forum (APRSAF-16) was held in Bangkok, Ishida: SAFE is a project to development of small satellites. Earth observation Thailand, January 26–29, 2010. We interviewed Ishida: When a disaster occurs, facilitate the utilization of satellite data from ALOS Chu Ishida, who is the Director of the Space it has been very diffi cult for data by governmental agencies Promoting the use of space in the and other satellites individual countries to obtain in the area of environmental Asia-Pacifi c region Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia Pacifi c Region within timely and accurate information management. Participating JAXA’s Space Applications Mission Directorate, about on the situation in affected countries use the data provided Q: Please outline your future goals APRSAF-16 and his offi ce’s activities. areas. Information provided from through SAFE to monitor for cooperation in Asia. the Advanced Land Observing environmental problems and to Space Technology Contributing (SAFE), which promotes new Satellite (ALOS) is extremely assist in the formulation of policy Ishida: Many countries in Asia to Solutions for a Broad Array satellite applications relating to useful in rapidly gathering disaster responses to such problems. SAFE wish to utilize space technology Platform for Capacity building was offi cially launched in 2008 sharing disaster of Issues the environment. Natural disasters information over a broad geographic in such areas as disaster and information JAXA, Asian area. Immediately following the at APRSAF-15, and has since environmental monitoring and Disaster Reduction and environmental problems in Center (ADRC) Q: What is the role of the Space Asia have an impact on Japan’s 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China, expanded to cover a wide range land and resource management. and others Cooperation Offi ce for the Asia economy and society. Hence, utilizing Japan led the world in providing of programs. These include water As technology advances, we are Digital Asia Capacity building Pacifi c Region? the data on the devastated area, resource management in Cambodia, seeing the burgeoning use of space related to disaster space technology in ways that can Real-time data distribution monitoring contribute to solutions is recognized and China’s disaster relief agencies forest management in Laos, sea in the Asia-Pacifi c region. Hence, (satellite images) through Ishida: The offi ce was established as a very important part of JAXA’s expressed their appreciation for level rise risk profi ling in Sri JAXA aims to comprehensively web-GIS platform in 2007 primarily to coordinate and overall organizational mission. this assistance. Lanka, and drought monitoring in promote the utilization of space manage JAXA’s cooperation activities Indonesia. I believe that the role of throughout the region. This includes Disaster management agencies in the Asia-Pacifi c region. Since Q: In your opinion, what were the Q: What is JAXA’s role in Sentinel SAFE in contributing to solutions not only the use of images provided Disaster situation monitoring then, our activities have included particular highlights of APRSAF-16? Asia? for regional environmental problems by Earth observation satellites international cooperation in the fi eld will continue to grow. but also response to needs across Disaster prevention and management activities of small satellites, Sentinel Asia, and Ishida: JAXA plans to launch Ishida: JAXA plays a coordinating a broad range of fi elds, including Residents in disaster-affected areas of participating countries Space Applications for Environment the fi rst Quasi-Zenith Satellite role in the overall concept planning telecommunications, GNSS, use of 18 19 JAXA TODAY No. 02 JAXA’s frontier

the disaster. The provision of disaster information is facilitated by JAXA’s membership in JAXA’s frontier the International Charter Space and Major Disasters.

JAXA and NASA sign Memorandum of Public release of observation data from GOSAT Understanding on Global Precipitation and SELENE Measurement project JAXA has commenced the release of data to general users from one of its Earth obser- vation satellites, Greenhouse Gasses Observing Satellite (GOSAT), and its lunar explorer Dr. Keiji Tachikawa, President of JAXA, and Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Administrator of the Selenological and Engineering Explorer (SELENE). National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), signed a Memorandum of JAXA began releasing radiance spectra data and image data from GOSAT— Understanding (MOU) on July 31, 2009 (Japan Standard Time; JST), at the Kennedy commonly known as “Ibuki” in Japanese—following the completion of the satel- Administrator Bolden (left) and President Space Center in Florida, the United States, for cooperation on the develop- Tachikawa at the signing ceremony lite’s initial calibration. After registering at the GOSAT User Interface Gate- ment and operation of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) proj- GOSAT User Interface Gateway operated way web site operated by the National Institute for Environmental Stud- by the National Institute for Environmental ect. Under the GPM project, a core satellite will carry Dual-frequency Studies (NIES) (http://data.gosat.nies.go.jp) GPM constellation ies (NIES), users may retrieve and order observation data of interest support satellites Precipitation Radar (DPR) and a GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) and by specifying the observation area and period. a constellation of satellites will carry GMI instruments to measure GPM core JAXA has also commenced the public release of processed ob- satellite global rainfall and other precipitation. The data obtained will be servation data through the Internet from SELENE—known by analyzed to provide more accurate global precipitation its nickname “Kaguya” in Japan”—gathered by the explorer estimates than have been available to date. during its nominal operation phase from December 21, DPR 2007 to October 31, 2008. Since JAXA is distributing cali- For further details, please refer to information provided on brated and validated data from SELENE’s science-mission the JAXA web site: instruments, the agency hopes that the data will become a http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/08/20090803_gpm_e.html valuable resource for researchers in lunar science-related Constellation of satellites in the GPM project fi elds. Simultaneously, JAXA began providing “KAGUYA 3D Moon NAVI” services, which deliver data from SELENE JAXA and the German Aerospace via the Internet using a three-dimensional (3-D) geographic KAGUYA 3D Moon NAVI (http://wms.selene. Center initiate cooperation in jaxa.jp/3dmoon_e/index_e.html) information system (GIS). JAXA plans to expand the SELENE Data Archive (http://www.soac. satellite-based disaster monitoring public release of data on an ongoing basis as more data selene.isas.jaxa.jp/archive/index.html.en) become available. JAXA President Dr. Keiji Tachikawa and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johann- Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), STAR Program gets underway as a joint signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Tokyo on August 21, 2009, to establish mu- international project for small satellite tual cooperation on using satellites for disaster monitoring. The two agencies plan development Dr. Tachikawa (left) and Prof. Wörner sign to pursue cooperation by utilizing their respective on-orbit satellites, JAXA’s Advanced the Letter of Intent at a ceremony in Tokyo. Land Observation Satellite (ALOS) and DLR’s TerraSAR-X. JAXA and DLR will examine Since June 2009, the Satellite Technology for the Asia-Pacifi c Region (STAR) Program the potential for exchanging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and pursue collabora- has been running at JAXA’s Sagamihara Campus near Tokyo. The program so far tive research on SAR data application technology. SAR has the ability to provide Earth has attracted the participation of engineers from the space agencies of Indonesia, observation data during both day and night and under nearly all weather conditions. India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. The program’s main objectives are For further details, please refer to information provided on the JAXA web site: • to provide an opportunity for space agencies in the Asia-Pacifi c region to build their http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/08/20090824_dlr_e.html human resources in the fi eld of satellite development: and STAR Program participants use a simulator during a workshop on satellite attitude • to increase the number of satellites available for Earth observation in the Asia-Pacifi c control systems. region, and respond to anticipated regional needs for future Earth observation. Emergency observations by ALOS following the As part of the program, the participating countries plan to develop and launch small February 2010 earthquake in Chile satellites. The program looks forward to the participation of more engineers from space agencies throughout the region, and welcomes inquiries regarding participation. A major earthquake measuring a magnitude of 8.8 occurred off the coast of central For a detailed overview of the STAR Program, please refer to the following Chile, approximately 325 kilometers southwest of the capital city of Santiago, on Febru- presentation material from APRSAF-16 (January 2010): ary 27, 2010, at 3:34 p.m. (JST). The earthquake occurred at an estimated depth of http://www.aprsaf.org/data/aprsaf16_data/D3-1600-1_AP16_STAR.pdf By comparing the area marked by a yellow 35 kilometers. In response, JAXA performed emergency observations on February 27, For inquiries regarding participation in the STAR Program, please contact: ellipse—shown in the left-hand photograph March 1 and March 4 (all JST) using its Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS). above—with the pre-earthquake image on Mr. Masanobu Tsuji, STAR Program Offi ce the right-hand side, it is possible to observe JAXA provided the observation data taken by ALOS of an area approximately six kilo- [email protected] changes in the shape of the shoreline, meters southwest of the coastal town of Pelluhue to overseas agencies responding to Tel: +81-50-3362-4883 which are thought to be the result of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. 20 21 The Earth Seen from Space Hayabusa’s sample- return capsule swoops down over Australia

Hayabusa released its sample-return capsule over the South Australian desert, and shortly afterward the capsule landed inside the Woomera Prohibited Area. There are high expecta- tions that the capsule may contain a sample of material from the asteroid Itokawa.

Australia is a country blessed with a diverse array of natural beauty, from inland deserts to rainforests and beaches. Fraser Island (pictured) is one such natural wonder.

Photo taken by Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) (Daichi)/JAXA on September 28, 2008

Fraser Island, located in the middle of the east coast of Australia, is formed of sand. Sand from the east coast of Australia, eroded by heavy rain more than 140,000 years ago, was deposited off the east coast and created the “Sand Island.” (There is another view that the sands came from Antarctica.)

Fraser Island, with an area of 184,000 hectares, is 120 kilometers long from north to south, and 25 kilometers wide, east to west. It is located about 250 kilometers north of Brisbane, the third largest city in Australia. The island is mostly covered by tropical rainforests and looks green. Long sandy beaches surrounding the island and dotted sand dunes reveal that the island is made of sand.

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