Visible and near infrared spectroscopy of Hayabusa reentry using semi-autonomous tracking

Aground-based tracking camera and coaligned slitless spectrograph were used to measure the spectral signature of visible radiation emitted from the Hayabusa capsule as it entered into the Earth's atmosphere in June 2010. Good quality spectra were obtained, which showed the presence of radiation from the heat shield of the vehicle and the shock-heated air in front of the vehicle. An analysis of the blackbody nature of the radiation concluded that the peak average temperature of the surface was about (3100 ± 100) K. Line spectra from oxygen and nitrogen atoms were used to infer a peak average shock-heated gas temperature of around (7000 ± 400) K. Copyrigh