Successful ignition test.

Four ion engines that support the navigation of last year asteroid spacecraft, which was launched in December "Hayabusa 2", it is I found the 8th of successful ignition test. All four groups that worked smoothly.
According to the Nishiyama Associate Professor of Aerospace Research and Development Organization in the development personnel, one groups the four engines at the end of last year, each running a few hours, that was confirmed that both features work without any abnormality. Future, and conducted a test operation that combines multiple ion engines, and that continue to check whether the work thrust and posture control, such as can be required for navigation.
Ion engines is to inject an ionized fuel gas in an electric power, obtaining a driving force. Efficiently in characterized by a long period of time can be accelerated, are mounted 4 groups to Hayabusa 2.
Also has supported the navigation of seven years in primary Hayabusa, many troubles such as failure immediately after launch is 1 groups, based on the experience of the first generation in Hayabusa 2, improvement of reliability and thrust has been achieved. It is the feeling that you are continuing to steadily flight. I hope luck.



昨年12月に打ち上げられた小惑星探査機「はやぶさ2」の航行を支える4基のイオンエンジンが、点火試験に成功したことが8日分かった。4基とも順調に機能したという。
　開発担当者で宇宙航空研究開発機構の西山准教授によると、昨年末に4基のエンジンを1基ずつ、それぞれ数時間稼働し、いずれも異常なく機能することを確認したという。今後、複数のイオンエンジンを組み合わせた試験運転を実施し、航行に必要な推力や姿勢制御などが可能かどうか確認作業を続けるという。　
　イオンエンジンは、イオン化した燃料ガスを電気の力で噴射し、推進力を得る。効率良く長期間加速できるのが特徴で、はやぶさ2には4基搭載されている。
　初代はやぶさでも7年間の航行を支えたが、1基が打ち上げ直後に故障するなどトラブルも多く、はやぶさ2では初代の経験を踏まえ、信頼性や推力の向上が図られた。順調に飛行を続けている感じですね。頑張ってほしいですね。