Hayabusa is a probe that boasts a number of special features. It is equipped with a sampler horn for collecting samples from asteroids, and a re-entry capsule to bring its samples back to Earth. Hayabusa also has an optical navigation system to enable it to rendezvous accurately with a tiny asteroid in the immense solar system, and various sensors and an autonomous navigation system, to safely descend towards the asteroid.

However, the feature that really distinguishes Hayabusa is its four ion engines. These engines employ a unique system that emits microwaves, like microwave ovens, to ionize xenon, and then the ions are accelerated in an electric field. They are capable of running for a total of 40,000 hours, enabling Hayabusa to successfully fly to and back from the asteroid Itokawa.

Yasuo Horiuchi has been involved in the development of ion engines since college, and such involvement continued after he joined NEC. For many years, his life has revolved around the ion engines of Hayabusa.

He calls Hayabusa a very lucky probe, based on the many miracles brought about by its ion engines.

• Top Page

• The Hayabusa team challenge

  • Tale 1: Connecting Space and Earth

  • Tale 2: Hayabusa returns after overcoming many obstacles

  • Tale 3: The miracles brought about by the ion engines

    • The impossible is happening

    • The operations team passes the baton

  • Tale 4: People who made the long journey possible

  • Tale 5: Creating Hayabusa, the only probe of its kind

• What is Hayabusa?

  • Hayabusa at a glance

  • Hayabusa-related information Q&A

• NEC Space Solutions

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