Story perspectives

JAXA Plans Engine B Restart After Mid-August Failure

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 4:34 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

JAXA reports Hayabusa2’s sole functional ion engine, Engine B, failed in mid-August.
JAXA plans to restart Engine B in the second half of October using spare parts.
The agency will pair Engine B’s neutralizer with Engine D’s ion source, a technique used on Hayabusa 1.
Hayabusa2, launched Dec 2014, targets asteroid 1998 KY26 in 2031, though health is uncertain.

1 of 1

Story summary

JAXA reports Hayabusa2’s sole functional ion engine, Engine B, failed in mid-August.
JAXA plans to restart Engine B in the second half of October using spare parts.
The agency will pair Engine B’s neutralizer with Engine D’s ion source, a technique used on Hayabusa 1.
Hayabusa2, launched Dec 2014, targets asteroid 1998 KY26 in 2031, though health is uncertain.