Prelimunary examination plan for Hayabusa sanple and its goal

Abstract

The Hayabusa spacecraft arrived at the asteroid Itokawa in November 2005, and the sample capsule was successfully retrieved in June, 2010. Although the sample collection was not made by normal operations, it is expected that a small amount of sample, at least a few particles of approximately a few tens of micron meters in size, were collected from the asteroid surface. If the sample is present in the capsule, it will be examined preliminary within one year prior to detailed analysis phase. The following scientific achievements will be expected; (a) characterization of the surface material of Itokawa (LL5 or 6 chondrite as expected from reflectance spectrum observation), (b) processes on an ancestor body of Itokawa and accretion into Itokawa (brecciation, degree of impact, etc.), (c) interaction with space environment (proof of space weathering, isotopic composition of solar wind oxygen, etc.), and (d) materials fallen onto the surface (e.g., organic materials without contamination on the earth).