3 ms·

Pretty cool! Why is it showing data that's 4 days old?

• mlindner 6y ago
  Maybe it's not actually automated? Or maybe during the holiday here they're not pointing the antennas at the spacecraft, especially as it's after the mission has finished?
  • varjag 6y ago
    Worth mentioning here that its mission has been extended to 2031 to include rendezvous with two other asteroids.
    • TedDoesntTalk 6y ago
      Forgive my ignorance, but how were the samples sent back to earth if the satellite is still in space? Did it rendevous with a ship or another satellite?
      • flagrant 6y ago
        The sample container separates from the spacecraft during the Earth encounter. The spacecraft performs a manoeuvre to return to an escape trajectory while the container falls to Earth. There's a graphic showing the re-entry procedure at http://www.hayabusa2.jaxa.jp http://www.hayabusa2.jaxa.jp - the 'TCM' points are where adjustments are made to trajectory, the final one sending the spacecraft back into space.
        • Razengan 6y ago
          Wow, like a [semi] automated mining drone in space.. This is where SCVs started.