Japan Space Probe Has Thruster Problem
Nov 29 8:39 AM US/Eastern
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By KOZO MIZOGUCHI
Associated Press Writer
TOKYO
A Japanese spacecraft that landed an asteroid to collect surface samples and bring them back to Earth for analysis has developed trouble with its thruster system, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said Tuesday.
The problem is the latest facing Japan's attempt to complete the world's first two-way trip to an asteroid, following earlier problems with the probe's gyroscopes and two botched practice landings.
The Hayabusa probe appeared to have touched down Saturday, just long enough to collect powder from the asteroid's surface and lift off again. But it soon began shaking due to a gas leak from a thruster, which continued through Tuesday, Japan's space agency, JAXA, said in a statement on its Web site. Communication was also briefly lost but restored earlier in the day.
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