Browsing: Itokawa

Itokawa is a small near-Earth asteroid that was the target of the Japanese space mission Hayabusa, launched by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) in 2003. Officially designated as 25143 Itokawa, it measures approximately 540 meters in length and has a somewhat elongated, irregular shape. The Hayabusa mission was notably the first to return asteroid samples to Earth, achieving this in 2010. The analysis of these samples has provided valuable insights into the composition and characteristics of early solar system materials, enhancing our understanding of planetary formation and the potential resources available in asteroids. Itokawa is categorized as an S-type asteroid, indicating a silicate mineral composition, and its surface exhibits a variety of geological features, including craters, boulders, and a very loose surface layer.