Tag: Japan
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Hayabusa 2 completes practice run for deployment of last asteroid lander
One of two target markers released by Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft is seen in this overlay image with frames showing the target marker’s location at 4-second intervals. Credit: JAXA Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft deployed two target markers Monday above asteroid Ryugu in a rehearsal for the release of the mission’s final landing robot next month.…
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Photos: H-2B rocket prepared for launch at Tanegashima
These photos show the stacking of Japan’s eighth H-2B rocket inside an assembly building at the Tanegashima Space Center over the past few weeks, followed by rollout of the 186-foot-tall (56.6-meter) vehicle to its launch pad Tuesday. The H-2B rocket is set for launch at 2133:29 GMT (5:33:29 p.m. EDT) Tuesday with Japan’s eighth HTV…
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Live coverage: H-2B rocket launch scrubbed after fire
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of an H-2B rocket with Japan’s eighth H-2 Transfer Vehicle on a resupply mission to the International Space Station. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter. [tabby title=”NASA TV”] [tabby title=”JAXA Webcast”] [tabbyending]
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Space station cargo mission grounded by launch pad fire
The H-2B rocket during fueling before Tuesday’s launch pad fire. Credit: MHI Japanese officials called off the launch of an H-2B rocket and HTV space station cargo ship Tuesday after a fire broke out on the launch pad at the Tanegashima Space Center. The fire occurred at around 1805 GMT (2:05 p.m. EDT) Tuesday, or…
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Japan set to launch space station resupply mission
Japan’s eighth HTV supply ship is set for launch Tuesday (U.S. time) from the Tanegashima Space Center. Credit: JAXA A Japanese HTV cargo freighter is set for launch Tuesday (U.S. time) aboard a powerful H-2B rocket, ferrying six new lithium-ion batteries, a Sony-developed laser communications terminal, fresh water and other equipment to the International Space…
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JAXA to launch eighth HTV space station cargo mission in September
Japan’s eighth H-2 Transfer Vehicle, seen here, is being prepared for launch from the Tanegashima Space Center on Sept. 10 with supplies and experiments for the International Space Station. Credit: JAXA Japan’s eighth resupply mission to the International Space Station is set for liftoff Sept. 10 with another batch of upgraded batteries, crew provisions and…
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Japanese spacecraft snags second sample from asteroid
A camera on-board Hayabusa 2 shows the spacecraft’s sampler horn contacting the asteroid’s surface, then kicking up rocky debris after firing a sampling projectile. Credit: JAXA Scientists celebrated another success with Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft late Wednesday (U.S. time), when the robot explorer accomplished a second pinpoint touch-and-go landing on asteroid Ryugu, this time to…
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Hayabusa 2 cleared for second touchdown on asteroid
Artist’s concept of the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft touching down on asteroid Ryugu. Credit: JAXA/Akihiro Ikeshita Ground teams have approved plans for Japan’s Hayabusa 2 sample return mission to briefly land on asteroid Ryugu for the second time July 11, aiming for a targeted touch-and-go to gather material exposed by an explosive impactor released by the…
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Japanese probe readies for another possible touch-and-go on asteroid
A camera on-board Hayabusa 2 captured this image of the target marker (the bright feature at bottom right) being released just above asteroid Ryugu on May 30. Credit: JAXA Approaching the one-year anniversary since its arrival at asteroid Ryugu, Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft has deployed a target marker near an artificial crater created by an…
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Hayabusa 2 locates artificial crater on asteroid
[CRA2] Crater formation where the Small Carry-on Impactor collided with Ryugu has been confirmed! These images compare the surface before and after the SCI collision. pic.twitter.com/BZPYlHhSjs — HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) April 25, 2019 New images from Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft show the location of a fresh crater carved from the jagged terrain of asteroid Ryugu by…