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Shine a Light
Credit: NASA/Ed Schilling
Hayabusa spacecraft streaked across the sky through the clouds as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere over the Woomera Test Range in Australia. In Kingoonya, the re-entry was visible to the human eye for only 15 seconds.
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So Lonely
Credit: JAXA
Hayabusa's sample return capsule lies in the Australian wilderness.
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Hello, How Are You?
Credit: JAXA
A team of researchers examines Hayabusa's sample return capsule.
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I Need Protection
Credit: JAXA
A researcher processes the sample return capsule of Hayabusa.
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Waiting on a Friend
Credit: JAXA
Hayabusa's sample return capsule and parachute lie on the ground in Australia's Woomera Prohibited Area.
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Take It Away
Credit: Australian Science Media Center
The sample return capsule (inside a box) from Japan's Hayabusa asteroid probe is transported by helicopter to the Instrumentation Building inside the Woomera Test Range after its June 13, 2010 landing. At that site, a temporary clean room had been set up
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I Fall to Pieces
Credit: NASA/SETI
This still from a NASA video shows the Hayabusa spacecraft as it burned up over Australia during re-entry on June 13, 2010 to cap a 7-year mission to the asteroid Itokawa. Hayabusa ejected a sample return capsule (bright dot at lower right) before burning up. It landed in the Australian outback and has been recovered.
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According to Plan
Credit: Australian Department of Defence
Yoshiyuki Hasegawa, Associate Executive Director, International Space Station Program, JAXA, briefs media at the Press Conference Centre at Woomera prior to the Hayabusa re-entry.
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I'm Down (I'm Really Down)
Credit: JAXA
Hayabusa spacecraft's return capsule and parachute lie on the ground in the Australian outback.
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All Smiles
Credit: JAXA
JAXA personnel at work. Click to enlarge
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Firefall
Credit: JAXA
Hayabusa spacecraft re-enters the atmosphere in a dazzling streak.
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You Burn Me Up
Credit: JAXA
Hayabusa spacecraft burns up as it crosses the sky.
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I'm Going Home
Credit: JAXA
See photos of Japan's Hayabusa capsule returning to Earth after reaching asteroid Itokawa. This Earth image was taken by Hayabusa as it neared the planet.




























