14 minutes after launch, solar battery paddles opened and she could finally catch her breath.

Hayabusa-san's small partner.

It went first to the asteroid to conduct study.

At first, a nano-rover from overseas (NASA) was also slated to partner up with Hayabusa, but due to circumstances, only Japan's Minerva-san escorted Hayabusa-san.

She's inexpensive, but not cheap.

"MIcro_Nano Experimental Robot Vehicle for Asteroid" is Japan's first planetary exploration rover.

It takes planetary measurements by camera and thermometer while hopping around.

It was made from civilian-made parts (except for the CPU), and was built on a surprisingly low budget compared to NASA.

(only about 5% of NASA's planetary exploration rover).

She is Hayabusa-san's senior orbiter, taking the name MUSES-A.

The model is Space Engineering Spacecraft HITEN/Celestial Maiden/MUSES-A.

The person who guides Hayabusa-san from Earth.

Modeled after Sagamihara ground control base.

As it would be disrespectful to model after a certain person, the control center itself is personified.

The person who guides Hayabusa-san from Earth.

Modeled after Sagamihara ground control base.

As it would be disrespectful to model after a certain person, the control center itself is personified.