JAXA: Hayabusa2 ion engine: Long-term navigation with microwaves
-Two researchers who led the development-
Hayabusa2 Spacecraft:
The existence of an ion engine that saves fuel and enables long-term navigation is indispensable for the 5.2 billion-kilometer round-trip trip of Hayabusa2.
The first “Hayabusa” suffered from repeated failures.
Perfect performance this time:
It has become so reliable that it will be used in extended missions aimed at arriving at another asteroid in 2031.
Microwave ion generation:
The method used in Hayabusa is to generate ions using microwaves.
Although the thrust is small, it does not require a discharge electrode and is suitable for long-term use.
Professor Emeritus Kyoichi Kuriki (85) of JAXA:
A pioneer of “electric propulsion” such as ion engines.
Professor Emeritus Kyoichi Kuriki (85) proceeded with ion engine research at JAXA.
In the 1980s, Mr. Kuriki was appointed as the person in charge of the US Space Shuttle (SFU).
From the experience of the shuttle, we focused on the microwave discharge method, which is easy to maintain.
Even in Europe and the United States, no one has touched the ion engine yet.
I promised a German researcher, “Let’s go with our engine.”
Hitoshi Kuninaka of JAXA (Director, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science):
In 1983, joined the ion engine laboratory.
In 1989, the prototype of the ion engine was completed.
Increased reliability and adopted in the first propulsion device.
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