Professor Jun'ichiro Kawaguchi: Particles Brought Back From
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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency January 2011 No. 03 Special Features Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi: Refl ecting on the Hayabusa mission and the future of space exploration Particles brought back from Asteroid Itokawa: What methods did researchers use to discover particles inside Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule? Contents No. 03 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 1−7 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Welcome to JAXA TODAY Kawaguchi The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) works to realize its Midori Nishiura, advisor to JAXA vision of contributing to a safe and prosperous society through the on public affairs, interviewed pursuit of research and development in the aerospace fi eld to deepen Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi humankind’s understanding of the universe. JAXA’s activities cover a on such topics as the development broad spectrum of the space and aeronautical fi elds, including satellite of Japan’s space probes and the development and operation, astronomical observation, planetary future of space exploration. exploration, participation in the International Space Station (ISS) project, and the development of new rockets and next-generation aeronautical technology. 8-11 With the aim of disseminating information about JAXA’s activities How many particles from Itokawa and recent news relating to Japan’s space development programs to was Hayabusa able to capture? as wide an audience as possible, we launched JAXA TODAY in January 2010. Marking the fi rst anniversary of the launch of JAXA TODAY, in What methods did research- this, the third issue, we feature an interview with Professor Jun’ichiro ers use to discover the particles Kawaguchi, who led the Hayabusa project, and also provide a close-up brought back from Asteroid look at how the particles brought back from Asteroid Itokawa were dis- Itokawa inside Hayabusa’s covered inside Hayabusa’s sample-return capsule. In addition, this issue sample-return capsule? includes a report on the activities of JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi Nonfi ction writer Kazuma Yamane during his long-endurance mission on the ISS as well as a selection of received fi rsthand insights articles on other topics that we hope you will enjoy. on this painstaking process from Professor Akio Fujimura 「はやぶさ」 of the Institute of Space and A Miuta (Waka) Poem by Astronautical Science (ISAS). Her Majesty the Empress 光輝その帰路に The asteroid probe Hayabusa succeeded in かがや 12-19 collecting a sample of material on Asteroid かに Itokawa and returned to earth on June 13, Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s 2010. In this poem Her Majesty describes how, 163 days in space after completing its long journey in space, Hayabusa broke up and incinerated in a large 明かるかりしと We recap the main tasks and fi reball as it reentered the earth’s atmosphere. 己れを焼きし signifi cance of JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi’s long-endurance mission on the International Space Station (ISS). Hayabusa Our Hayabusa 20-23 Expanding the frontiers of scientifi c Incinerating itself 「はやぶさ」 の discovery aboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibo On its return A blazing ball of fi re Four principal investigators introduce their respective scien- Luminous and brilliant. tifi c experiments currently being conducted on JEM Kibo, one of the ISS’ modules. 24-25 JAXA’s frontier Source: The Imperial Household Agency A roundup of JAXA’s recent activities Cover Story Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi is the manager of the Hayabusa project, which achieved a major breakthrough by becoming the fi rst space mission in history to return to Earth a sample of material from a celestial body other than the Moon or a comet. For this photograph, taken on November 15, 2010, Professor Kawaguchi posed in front of a full-scale model of Hayabusa. Photo by Hiro Arakawa Interview with the professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi Interviewed by Midori Nishiura, Executive Advisor for JAXA Public Affairs & International Relations Hayabusa project manager Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi discusses the Hayabusa and IKAROS missions and also provides his views on the importance of space exploration. He emphasizes that all his efforts are focused on achieving progress for the benefi t of humankind. After a space voyage spanning more than seven years Editor’s note regarding the timing of this interview and six billion kilometers, the asteroid explorer Hayabusa On November 16, 2010, the day after we completed its mission with a triumphant return to Earth conducted this interview with Professor on June 13, 2010. In this interview, we discussed a Kawaguchi, JAXA announced that its range of issues with Hayabusa project leader Professor analysis of particles collected from inside the return capsule’s sampler container Kawaguchi, including: had identifi ed the particles’ origin as • The numerous challenges the Hayabusa mission Asteroid Itokawa. This announcement— which vindicated Professor Kawaguchi’s overcame on the way to its historic accomplishments; strong conviction that “there is almost • The ongoing steady progress of IKAROS, the Small certainly a sample in there”—disclosed that 1,500 asteroid particles had been Solar Power Sail Demonstrator; and found inside the container. • JAXA’s approach to space exploration. Photo by Hiro Arakawa 1 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Photo by Hiro Arakawa Hayabusa: Passing on Kawaguchi: Thank you very Kawaguchi: When the spacecraft cutting-edge technology to much. Hayabusa’s success is made its reentry, I didn’t stay “Hayabusa-2” truly the result of the fortitude in the control room. I went back and perseverance of the entire to my offi ce to watch it alone. Nishiura: Congratulations on the project team. I would like to I wasn’t confi dent that I could successful return of Hayabusa. take this opportunity to express maintain my composure while This spacecraft has really my heartfelt gratitude to watching the monitor in front of captured the imagination and everyone who has supported both all my staff. hearts of the Japanese people Hayabusa and JAXA. and established its place in Nishiura: Please tell us how you popular culture. Hayabusa Nishiura: When Hayabusa felt the following day, June 14, books and DVDs are at the top returned on June 13, 2010, the when the return capsule was of the bestseller lists and it was feelings of elation—that your recovered. even one of the biggest topics “baby” had fi nally come home— on the micro-blogging site must have been tempered by Kawaguchi: More than Twitter. the harsh reality of atmospheric jubilation, my foremost emotion reentry. was one of astonishment. 2 Interview with Professor Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi The commitment of the team was “extraordinary. They were united in working toward the goal of getting Hayabusa successfully back to Earth, no matter what. —Jun’ichiro Kawaguchi” The main reason being that the Kawaguchi: The Hayabusa for future missions that aim to capsule had landed a mere 500m mission was used to verify gather and return samples from from the planned drop zone. We the following major new other bodies in the Solar System. were also very lucky in that we technologies: (1) ion engines spotted the capsule very quickly that provided electric-powered Nishiura: Hayabusa faced from the Royal Australian Air propulsion through the ionization many crises during its mission, Force helicopter. Originally, we of xenon gas; (2) an autonomous but each time it managed thought the recovery might take optical navigation system that to pull through. The mission about two weeks. enabled Hayabusa to approach contained so many dramatic and touch down on Asteroid twists and turns that it reads Nishiura: Hayabusa provided Itokawa; (3) sample collection on like the plot for a blockbuster the opportunity for a practical Itokawa; (4) an Earth swing-by movie! Are there any particular demonstration of a wide array using Earth gravity assist; and episodes that stand out for you of new technologies. Can you (5) the recovery of a sample- personally? briefl y outline the key new return capsule made from technologies you used? heat-resistant materials. These Kawaguchi: In December 2005, technologies will be essential shortly after Hayabusa made 3 JAXA TODAY No. 03 Photo by Hiro Arakawa Professor Kawaguchi with a model of IKAROS at a recent exhibition two touchdowns on Itokawa, developed the ion engines— benefi t of humankind.” Rather we lost all communication with suggested we try running a than simply pursuing their the spacecraft. At that point, I bypass circuit to effect cross own national interests, those thought, “Is this the end?” The operation. It really was an people overseas who gave their radio signals we were receiving ingenious solution. cooperation always considered in the Control Room got weaker how they could contribute to and weaker, and we could tell Nishiura: For the Hayabusa progress for all humankind. that it was slipping further away project, you cooperated with This generosity of spirit was from us. Itokawa is about three both NASA and the Australian very inspiring. billion kilometers from Earth, government. What did this so it takes around 20 minutes involve? Nishiura: How would you for the radio signals to reach us. describe the atmosphere in Consequently, by the time we Kawaguchi: We received the team that you built for the had received the radio signals, full cooperation from NASA, Hayabusa project? Hayabusa was already missing. including the operation of a It was an awful feeling. The large antenna tracking network. Kawaguchi: The commitment other particularly memorable NASA has very large manpower of the team was extraordinary. episode was in November 2009, capabilities, which have been They were united in working when all four ion engines shut incredibly reassuring for us. toward the goal of getting down. We successfully restarted In addition, many Australian Hayabusa successfully back to two engines by using a “cross government personnel readily Earth, no matter what. And operation” workaround whereby lent their support.