11/30/2005

Hayabusa probe may be lost
Thruster problems
The Register: The Japanese space agency JAXA has admitted that its Hayabusa probe may not be able to return to Earth because of thruster problems .. …Project leader Junichiro Kawaguchi admitted to a press conference in Tokyo: “If we cannot revive the thrusters, of course a return journey is impossible.” JAXA is not certain, furthermore, that there is sufficient fuel left for the return leg, even if the thrusters can be persuaded to function.

JAXA, the Japanese space agency, most likely has been making up stories for their failed mission to save face. We have covered JAXA’s “success” after many failures just a couple days ago on the 3Yen in “Success! Japan’s robot space probe collects asteroid sample.” This has been one of dozens of space failures in recent years and this particular flight seems to be cursed as I reported inNews.3Yen.com: Lost in Space on November 13 and in Hayabusa failed on its asteroid landing on November 20. As I said before, Japan’s robot space probe invasion seemed to be cursed or perhaps jinxed by Marvin the Martian.