This video requires the latest version of Flash Player. Click here to download. This video requires the latest version of Flash Player. Click here to download.Published June 14, 2010
Japan's Hayabusa, the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid and return to Earth, made a fiery reentry over southern Australia Sunday night. Scientists hope the craft's capsule contains samples from the asteroid Itokowa.
©2010 National Geographic; video courtesy NASA
RELATED
Hayabusa Spacecraft Returns With Fiery Show
What Are Asteroids and Comets?
UNEDITED TRANSCRIPT
The Japanese-built Hayabusa spacecraft re-entered earth’s atmosphere Sunday night and put on a spectacular show as it burned up while traveling at the speed of an asteroid crashing to earth.
SOUNDBITE: Jay Grinstead, NASA Reentry Observation Project Mgr.
“Hayabusa’s return at 7 ½ miles per second is rare. Something like this is not going to happen for several years at minimum.”
This video was recorded by a group of astronomers from NASA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, also known as JAXA, and other organizations.
They were aboard NASA’s DC-8 laboratory packed with cameras and other imaging instruments to capture the high-speed re-entry over an unpopulated area of South Australia.
The Japanese spacecraft spent seven years in space, including a short stop on the asteroid Itokowa five years ago. It has hopefully brought back samples from the asteroid.
It’s the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid and return to earth.
Scientists recovered its space capsule Monday in Australia’s Outback.
The samples would initially be studied by a team of scientists in Japan, and then other scientists will have the opportunity to examine the materials.
The re-entry offered a new opportunity for scientists to observe how the spacecraft broke into pieces, and how well the heat shield material protected the capsule with the sample.
The data collected can be used for analysis for future earth re-entry voyages.
Latest News
Trending News
-
6 Snubbed Women in Science
These six scientists were snubbed for awards or robbed of credit for discoveries … because they were women.
-
Pictures: Building Micro-Flowers
Scientists can control the self-assembly of molecules to build nano-size flowers in the lab, a new study says.
-
Climate Change, Tornado Connection?
Global warming is causing more extreme weather. But when it comes to tornadoes, it could go either way.
Advertisement
Celebrating 125 Years
-
Steady Hands and Fins
Photographer David Doubilet photographs stingrays, sharks, and more.
-
Survival Guide: Dodging Locusts
Swarm behaviorist Iain Couzin has a toxic reaction to a locust at the same time his team runs out of food.
ScienceBlogs Picks
Connect With Nat Geo
