Seriously damaged Hayabusa making best efforts to come back to Earth

The Hayabusa project team has gradually restored communications between the Hayabusa, who lost its attitude control just after its touchdown on Nov. 26, and ground stations by taking various emergency measures. According to the very limited information received so far, “The explorer is still alive, but the communication function was seriously damaged. It is almost a miracle that it functions at all.” (Mr. Kawaguchi, Project Manager)

It was also found that there is a possibility that the projectile for sampling was not discharged. It is very hard to find out what has been really going on through only partial information. The project team will keep making its best efforts to have the explorer come back to Earth including re-setting its orbit.