Hayabusa Earth Flyby Swings Toward Asteroid 85
An anonymous reader writes "As the first of its kind to return asteroid samples to Earth, the Japanese Hayabusa mission took pictures this week during its successful Earth flyby. Eventually headed to the asteroid belt, the probe will feature a novel sample collection 'horn' which hops around on the asteroid's surface and lands intermittently for only a second at a time. The samples will be dust clouds fired up from repeated bullet impacts, since the asteroid's low gravity makes it difficult to 'land' on. When faced with a similar problem, the European Rosetta mission alternatively will harpoon the surface to hang on while also touching down on another small-mass asteroid."
Obligatory Ninja gaiden reference (Score:4, Funny)
(Note for the people who don't get the reference, Hayabusa was the last name of the Ninja in the Ninja Gaiden games)
SOVIET RUSSIA! (Score:1, Funny)
Small procedure shortcut? (Score:5, Funny)
Presumably it'll let go of it before coming back? otherwise it'll be the biggest space sample ever collected.
Typical Japansese Tourist! (Score:4, Funny)
Harpoon? (Score:5, Funny)
*pop* (Score:2, Funny)
Imagine the looks on the faces of those in control as the asteroid pops like a balloon... :)
oh.. (Score:3, Funny)
Ah well, one can never tell these days...
Yes! (Score:2, Funny)
Four years for one gram? (Score:4, Funny)
I bet on the street you could get at least 100 bones for that gram rock.
Bullets & Harpoons in Space? (Score:5, Funny)
-NOW- who's weaponizing space? Looks like the Japanese and Europeans. This is a threat to our national security! We have a space harpoon capability gap! Mr.President, we recommend making a space harpoon that is two times bigger than the european's space harpoon... to deter them from attacking more asteroids.
Uh, oh (Score:2, Funny)
Mission to Earth (Score:2, Funny)
Scientist 1: "Hmmmm. There are beings on that blue planet."
Scientist 2: "What are they doing?"
Scientist 1: "Let's see. One female is dragging around a naked male on a pet leash in the middle of a war."
Scientist: 3: "I suggest we abort this mission and leave them alone before they find out about us and come here."
Scientists in unison: "Agreed! Abort."
Hayabusa Confusion (Score:4, Funny)
A Space Hayabusa [hallert.net]
Please? I'd hate to be the only dork out there....
Wow! (Score:1, Funny)