The minor-planet explorer, Hayabusa (MUSES-C) was developed by JAXA/ISAS and launched in 2003. It traveled to (25143) Itokawa to capture samples of surface material. After overcoming many critical difficulties, Hayabusa finally returned to the earth in 2010, with fragments of surface material.
Avastatud: 6-11-1996 Avastamiskoht: Chichibu Avastajad: Sato, N.