Quotes by Junichiro Kawaguchi

“This is disappointing, but well spend the coming year [trying] to rescue the craft and retrieve it in June 2010 if we can control it again by the beginning of 2007.”

“Im sure we could collect samples.”

“The project team members were very delighted to have seen all the procedures of collecting samples apparently ended without any problem.”

“The challenge was subtle adjustment of jet propulsion.”

“We are disappointed about the postponement of the departure, but we will work hard to have the probe back to Earth as long as there is a possibility.”

“From an engineering point of view, we see this as a success. We definitely want to try again.”

“We could prove an epoch-making planetary exploration through autonomous navigation and guidance, and stand foremost in the world in deep space exploration technology.”

“Sending Minerva to the surface did not work.”

“If we cannot revive the thrusters, of course a return journey is impossible.”

“The spacecraft was designed to settle to a pure simple spin motion around the antenna axis.”