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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Minerva hopper and Hayabusa's shadow at Itokawa

Minerva hopper and Hayabusa's shadow at Itokawa
Minerva hopper and Hayabusa's shadow at Itokawa A photo of the asteroid Itokawa from the Hayabusa spacecraft on November 12, 2005 shows the Minerva lander (dot inside the yellow circle, and detail inside the yellow square) near the asteroid. Minerva was released and activated successfully but failed to land on Itokawa. The dark bow-tie shape on Itokawa is the shadow of Hayabusa. ISAS / JAXA