2014
“Hayabusa 2” Departs for 5.2 Billion km Journey into Space with NTN BearingsDecember 18, 2014
The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 26 carrying the “Hayabusa 2” asteroid probe and other equipment was launched successfully from the Tanegashima Space Centre at 13:22:04 on December 3 (Wed).
Spherical plain bearings made by NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) have been used in the hinges that open the solar battery panels on the “Hayabusa 2” whilst in space.
NTN provides all bearings used in Japanese rockets, with NTN bearings also used throughout the H-IIA Launch Vehicle that launched the “Hayabusa 2.”
NTN offers its congratulations on the successful launch of the “Hayabusa 2,” and sincerely wishes the safe return of the probe to Earth in 2020 and successful completion of the mission.
NTN will continue focusing on development of products for aerospace, which requires the highest level of technical capability, and contribute to the space development business.
External appearance of “Hayabusa 2”©Illustration: Akihiro Ikeshita
NTN spherical plain bearingsused in “Hayabusa 2”
H-II A rocket that launched successfully ©JAXA
Bearings forrocket engine turbo pump
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