[X] My Assistant

[Guest_BruceMoomaw_*]

Actually, in regard to Psyche, we're not sure whether the error is in the density measurement or in our interpretation of the near-IR spectra. (Given the ambiguities in interpreting the latter, it may be more likely.)

As for Itokawa's mass and density, the Japanese have a good understanding of that now -- they've already constructed a fairly detailed gravity map (which shows no clear evidence for it being a contact binary, by the way).

[Rakhir]

I am afraid that the timing for firing and sucking sand samples from Itokawa is of the same software logic as for releasing Minerva mini-probe (not interlook timing software between the altitude and velocity direction).

Rodolfo

Hopefully, we should not see a similar glitch with the sampling because the firing of the projectile is triggered by a contact sensor on the sampling horn.
So, no timing problem.
But of course, many over things could go wrong.

I am sad for the loss of Minerva because I was so thrilled at the idea of seing the first images taken from the surface of an asteroid.

But as many already said, Minerva was just a minor aspect of the mission.
Significant accomplishments were already done in this mission, and I hope that the best part of this adventure is still to come.

Only a few days to wait...

Rakhir

[The Messenger]

As for Itokawa's mass and density, the Japanese have a good understanding of that now -- they've already constructed a fairly detailed gravity map (which shows no clear evidence for it being a contact binary, by the way).

Their graphics look like they should have a good handle on it.

2.3g/cc for Itokawa? 0.6 g/cc for Temple 1?

I look in my crystal ball, and I see micro-gravity packing and friability experiments in the ISS's future - (We ought to get some good science out of it.)

[ljk4-1]

Speaking of Japanese deep space missions, what has become of Nozomi? Is it still functioning? Can it conduct some interplanetary science? Could it ever make another attempt at Mars?

[alan]

Posts about Genesis and Galileo technical issues moved here
http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?showtopic=1687

[Comga]

That's a strange image with the little square out of focus. It could be Minerva in some attitudes. It is odd that is hasn't been seen elsewhere.

Other strange images areposted at

http://www.astroarts.co.jp/news/2005/11/14...s/index-j.shtml

Of course, its all in Japanese which is incomprehensible (in this house) beyond "Hayabusa", "Itokawa" and a phonetic "Target Marker". There are four images. The first image pair saves as

http://www.astroarts.jp/news/2005/11/14hay...rget_marker.jpg


This looks like the target marker sphere being released and moving away towards Itokawa. The object is round with spikes instead of square like in the previous image. The lighting looks more like a sphere than a cylinder end. The title agrees with this bing the target marker and incorporates the date of Nov 14. However, I have not seen a word of the target marker release.

If those images are in sequence, it looks like the target marker also missed the asteroid.

The other image that saves as

http://www.astroarts.jp/news/2005/11/14hay...mera_region.jpg


and is a pair of images of Itokawa, one with the iconic shadow of Hayabusa on the surface. The other is a very rocky end.

Has anyone else seen these images? Is this in fact the landing target marker being released? If so, was it done after the Minerva "toss" on the same descent? Did it really miss the asteroid?

Attached thumbnail(s)

 

[Bob Shaw]

The other image that saves as

http://www.astroarts.jp/news/2005/11/14hay...mera_region.jpg


and is a pair of images of Itokawa, one with the iconic shadow of Hayabusa on the surface. The other is a very rocky end.
the Minerva "toss" on the same descent?  Did it really miss the asteroid?

I bet the spacecraft shadow is *also* somewhere among the rocks!

Bob Shaw

[helvick]

I bet the spacecraft shadow is *also* somewhere among the rocks!
Bob Shaw

If the camera is pointed in the same direction and the sun:spacecraft angle is the same (which I think it should be) then a pixel or two of the shadow is just visible on 2-3 pixels just north of the shadow of the largish boulder that is just south of the limb almost dead centre.

[Rakhir]

Has anyone else seen these images? Is this in fact the landing target marker being released?

Actually, these images are from the first rehearsal. They were already posted in this thread on Nov. 10.

Ex :
Post 471
Post 475

Rakhir

[tedstryk]

I bet the spacecraft shadow is *also* somewhere among the rocks!

Bob Shaw

I doubt it, looking at the illumination angle.

[Comga]

Actually, these images are from the first rehearsal. They were already posted in this thread on Nov. 10.

Ex :
Post 471
Post 475

Rakhir

You are correct on both counts. I just missed them. (Probably looking for images without checking the text.)

The target sphere image is in this week's (Nov 14) Aviation Week (page 26) and on AviationWeekOnline (subscription only). It says that yes, they did release one of three target markers and it did miss the asteroid. This was on a second decent to 500 meters after having gone as close as 70 meters on the 10th, as decribed earlier in this forum. At 500 meters they were bound to miss, so they must have decided that this target was expendable. JAXA did do some ranging against it, so it was not a total loss.

[Toma B]

New update...
But only if you know Japanese...

New update

1 Hi-res image also...

[Guest_Myran_*]

tedstryk said on whether the spacecraft shadow might be seen:  I doubt it, looking at the illumination angle.

I concur, with the shadows we see on the rocks of the second image the spacecrafts shadow are quite some distance to the side of the asteroid.

[tedstryk]

From the new release. Very interesting...

[foe]

Check below!
You will understand what happened.

http://www.planetary.or.jp/en/column/


Prof.Matogawa is the last pupil of Itokawa.
And he is spokesman of ISAS in practice.

http://www.jaxa.jp/news_topics/column/special/index_e.html