Film Screening of Hayabusa – The Long Voyage Home, to celebrate the return of Hayabusa2

In time for the anticipated landing of Hayabusa2 in early December, the Embassy together with the Japan Foundation Sydney, the Australian Space Agency, The National Science and Technology Centre (Questacon) and the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association Canberra (JETAA Canberra), held a film screen of Hayabusa, The Long Voyage Home on the 19th of November.

Hayabusa2 is scheduled to bring a sample capsule back from near-Earth asteroid Ryugu to Woomera, SA on the 6^th of December. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been preparing for the return of the sample capsule in Woomera with assistance from the Australian government.

Minister Shutaro Omura, Deputy Head of the Australian Space Agency, Mr Anthony Murfett, Vice-Chancellor of The Australian National University and Nobel Laureate, Professor Brian Schmidt and Director of the National Science and Technology Centre – Questacon, Professor Graham Durant, gave remarks to celebrate this exciting occasion. Messages were also played from Australian aerospace engineer and NASA astronaut, Dr Andy Thomas AO, Japan’s first astronaut and Chief Executive Director of Miraikan, Japan, Dr Mohri Mamoru and the original Hayabusa Project Manager and subject of the film, Professor Junichiro Kawaguchi.
 
There was a live video-call with Hayabusa2 Sub-Manager, Mr Satoru Nakazawa who was in Woomera preparing for the sample capsule’s return.
 
In the foyer, there was a display of the original Hayabusa model and a Questacon staff member welcomed guests in an astronaut suit.