This asteroid's name was officially decided on August 6th, 2003, about 3 months after Hayabusa-san had taken off from Earth.

The origin of the name is, of course, Dr. Itokawa. Because they wanted to have an appropriate name for Hayabusa-san's destination, ISAS petitioned to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), who accepted the bid for the name.

On April 16th 2004, ISAS, using NASA's radar observation, revealed Figure of Itokawa to the public.

This asteroid's name was officially decided on August 6th, 2003, about 3 months after Hayabusa-san had taken off from Earth.

The origin of the name is, of course, Dr. Itokawa. Because they wanted to have an appropriate name for Hayabusa-san's destination, ISAS petitioned to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), who accepted the bid for the name.

On April 16th 2004, ISAS, using NASA's radar observation, revealed Figure of Itokawa to the public.

In radar observations, Itokawa, drawn with computer graphics, is a long ellipse on its side. It looks like a May Queen potato.

Of course that's a joke.

But Jyaga-butter (boiled potatoes with butter) is delicious isn't it?

As far as potatoes used in Jyaga-butter go, Irish Cobbler potatoes taste better than May Queen ones.

Of course there is only one chance to succeed.

This was a real challenge for Sagami-san's (in reality ground staff's) brains, skill and nerve.