Japs Discover – Space Potato? Space Turd? Space Dildo?

The Japanese space probe Hayabusa has
approached within 12 miles (20 kilometers) of its target, asteroid Itokawa
(1998 SF36).

Scientists at Japan’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
have been monitoring the day-by-day closing in on the asteroid by their
craft. ISAS is a research arm of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA).

ISAS scientists report that images taken by Hayabusa
show a contrast of rocky and hilly regions and a smooth area on the asteroid.
Further analysis of the imagery and other data may help decipher the
origin and evolution of the asteroid.

The plan is for Hayabusa to depart Itokawa carrying onboard samples of
asteroid Itokawa, and then head back to Earth. The probe’s sample return
canister would parachute back to Earth in June of 2007.

from Space.com