Back to Vehicle Families

Hayabusa Spacecraft System

Hayabusa, launched as MUSES-C, was Japan's first asteroid sample-return spacecraft. It rendezvoused with asteroid Itokawa, performed two surface touchdowns, and returned microscopic Itokawa particles to Earth in a detachable re-entry capsule in 2010.

Hayabusa Spacecraft System
Follow this vehicle family

Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.

Identity

Aliases
MUSES-C spacecraftAsteroid Explorer HayabusaMUSES-C
Family Name
Hayabusa
Full Name
Hayabusa Spacecraft System
Roles
interplanetary_probesample_returnresearch
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
Hayabusa, launched as MUSES-C, was Japan's first asteroid sample-return spacecraft. It rendezvoused with asteroid Itokawa, performed two surface touchdowns, and returned microscopic Itokawa particles to Earth in a detachable re-entry capsule in 2010.
First Flight Year
2,003
Last Flight Year
2,010
Operator
Spacecraft Specs
Launch Mass Kg
510
Reusability
unknown

Links

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 16, 2026 at 23:37:28 UTC
Updated Time
August 14, 2026 at 12:19:54 UTC

Other

Search Name
Hayabusa Spacecraft System MUSES-C spacecraft Asteroid Explorer Hayabusa MUSES-C