see more
TO GO WITH STORY "SPACE-JAPAN-AUSTRALIA-ASTEROIDS" BY MIWA SUZUKI This imaginary image, illustrated by Akihiro Ikeshita and released from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) shows Japan's space probe "Hayabusa" (Falcon) and an asteroid, called Itokawa in the space. The Hayabusa, the first spacecraft to bring home raw material from an asteroid, is to release a canister expected to contain asteroid dust near the Earth. The capsule is to make a parachute landing on June 13 in the Australian outback. AFP PHOTO / Akihiro IKESHITA / JAXA (Photo credit should read Akihiro IKESHITA/AFP via Getty Images)