Hayabusa Asteroid Probe's View of Moon and Earth 3M km Away

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) released for the first time images of the earth and the moon three million kilometers away as viewed from the cruising asteroid probe Hayabusa 2, November 27. Hayabusa Asteroid Probe is approaching the earth to attempt an "earth swing-by" to the direction of its destination the Ryugu riding on the earth's gravity.

This image was taken at 12:46 JST on November 26 approximately three million kilometers away from the earth. It shows Australia and on its left a bit shady image of the moon.

Hayabusa Asteroid Probe approaches closest to the earth at 19:04 JST on December 3, swings and accelerates in the direction of the Ryugu. It reaches the Ryugu in about June or July, 2018.

Now, whatever is this "earth swing-by"?

The idea is to let the earth's gravity steer the probe to the direction of its destination. The probe dives into the earth's gravity field in such a path as would orient it straight to the Ryugu.

Last month, October 14, the Hayabusa 2 Project Team met the press on the object of the swing-by attempt. Project Manager Mr. Yuichi Tsuda outlined the attempt thus:

"As seen from the sun, Hayabusa 2 is approaching the earth slightly outside of the earth's orbit at a speed of 5.2 km per second. It's chasing after the earth, so to speak. Time allowing, we try to photograph both the earth and the moon.

"Hayabusa is passing by the earth from north to south, meaning at a certain point it won't be visible from the northern hemisphere. That is why we count very much on cooperation from other overseas observatories.

"We have come to these far overcoming obstacles along the way. This earth swing-by attempt is one vital milestone. Our orbit controlling skills are at stake".