Photo Gallery: Hayabusa Asteroid Probe Returns to Earth

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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.

Photo Gallery: Hayabusa Asteroid Probe Returns to Earth

Shine a Light

So Lonely

Hello, How Are You?

I Need Protection

Waiting on a Friend

Take It Away

I Fall to Pieces

According to Plan

I'm Down (I'm Really Down)

All Smiles

Firefall

You Burn Me Up

I'm Going Home

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