Status of curation and initial analysis for sample returned by Hayabusa

Abstract

'Hayabusa' re-entry capsule was safely carried into the clean room of Sagamihara Planetary Sample Curation Facility in JAXA. After executing CT scanning, removal of heat shield, and surface cleaning of sample container, the sample container was enclosed into the clean chamber. After opening the sample container and residual gas sampling in the clean chamber, optical observation, sample recovery, sample separation for initial analysis is carried out. This curation work is continued with some selected member of Hayabusa Asteroidal Sample Preliminary Examination Team (HASPET) for several months. We report the 'Hayabusa' capsule recovery operation and current status of curation work for 'Hayabusa' sample. Show more