Exploring Asteroids: Image Sensors On The Asteroid Explorer Hayabusa

This case study takes a deep dive into how Hamamatsu Photonics' image sensors were used in the asteroid exploration missions Hayabusa and Hayabusa2. The InAs image sensor was used in Hayabusa2 to measure moisture on the surface of an asteroid. Hayabusa successfully returned samples from Itokawa in 2010, providing insights into the formation of planets.

Hayabusa's fluorescent X-ray spectrometer, equipped with a CCD image sensor, measured the elemental composition of Itokawa's surface, including magnesium, aluminum, and silicon. The near-infrared spectrometer (NIRS) on Hayabusa, using an InGaAs image sensor, analyzed minerals on the surface, identifying olivine and pyroxene.

Hayabusa2's NIRS3, incorporating an InAs linear image sensor, measured moisture on the surface of Ryugu, aiding in sample collection site selection. Hamamatsu Photonics' image sensors have contributed significantly to our understanding of asteroids and their composition.