From an engineering point of view, we see this as a success. We definitely want to try again. |
I'm sure we could collect samples. |
If we cannot revive the thrusters, of course a return journey is impossible. |
Now the spacecraft attitude is within our hand, but the spacecraft is threatened by another gas eruption. That is why we have to perform the baking operation to exclude those gases from the spacecraft. The xenon gas left is sufficient for the return cruise to the Earth. |
Sending Minerva to the surface did not work. |
The challenge was subtle adjustment of jet propulsion. |
The project team members were very delighted to have seen all the procedures of collecting samples apparently ended without any problem. |
The spacecraft was designed to settle to a pure simple spin motion around the antenna axis. |
This is disappointing, but we'll spend the coming year [trying] to rescue the craft and retrieve it in June 2010 if we can control it again by the beginning of 2007. |
We are disappointed about the postponement of the departure, but we will work hard to have the probe back to Earth as long as there is a possibility. |
We could prove an epoch-making planetary exploration through autonomous navigation and guidance, and stand foremost in the world in deep space exploration technology. |