The "HAYABUSA" is an unmanned mission to return sample material from an asteroid. The project started in 1996, and the satellite was launched by the M-V launch vehicle No. 5 in May 2003.
Sample return is a method to bring material back from space instead of taking analysis equipment all the way to space. It is the most difficult and ultimate probe method. Through sample return, we can analyze material with great precision using the latest technology even if the specimen is very small. Using an innovative ion engine, the HAYABUSA can perform a sample return by landing on an asteroid using this highly autonomous function, having it collect material under the minimal gravity environment, letting the capsule return to the atmosphere from the asteroid, then retrieve it. The HAYABUSA's mission is the first of its kind and even takes precedent to NASA projects.

The HAYABUSA can be called a "High-tech Space Ship" as its key technologies -- a plasma reactor that supports cutting-edge industries, robot technology with visibility, development of heat resistance, and power saving technology -- are expected to be applied to various other fields.

In May 2004, the HAYABUSA accelerated past the Earth in a swing-by, using our planet's gravity to arrive at its target destination, the asteroid "Itokawa," on September 12, 2005. It is a record for the longest fight by an ion engine. During September and October of the same year, remote controlled observations and modeling were completed, and on November 20 and 26, 2005, three touchdowns and one landing were performed on the Itokawa. Unfortunately, the satellite suffered a fuel leakage after the last landing, and that caused a blackout of communications. We have since restored communications, but due to this trouble, we extended the return of the HAYABUSA to the Earth by three years to June 2010. Scientific observation results achieved by the HAYABUSA during its mission include a number of world-first innovative discoveries, which are highly valued not only as engineering achievements but also for scientific observations.

Until now, asteroid exploration had been a one-way trip; however, the HAYABUSA is a round-trip space mission. We are now designing an improved next-generation space ship and are expecting the arrival of the Grand Navigation Era to the Solar System, such as a round trip to a main belt asteroid or to Venus, or a round trip via a deep space port.