Shock-Proof Ceramic Materials in Asteroid Probes Endure Extreme Environments

The Japanese asteroid probe Hayabusa was the first of its kind to successfully bring back sample materials from an asteroid. Alumina fine ceramic components which are known to have excellent strength, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and insulation, and a metallization brazing technology along with various other bonded materials were used in the lithium-ion battery terminals, enabling the probe to be hermetic, even in space. These lithium-ion batteries served as the emergency power source for Hayabusa and its successor, Hayabusa 2.

Hayabusa Asteroid Probe
(Illustration by Akihiro Ikeshita)

Hayabusa 2 Asteroid Probe
(Illustration by Akihiro Ikeshita)

Fine Ceramics and Derived Technologies

Kyocera’s high-purity alumina fine ceramic components were used for the lithium-ion battery terminals. These components feature a metallization technology that forms a metal layer on the ceramic surface. The battery's cover and terminal, which are metals, are bonded via insulating, with metalized fine ceramics sandwiched between them. By providing strong bonding properties while maintaining insulation, fine ceramics help prevent electrolyte leakage inside the batteries when in space, where the atmospheric pressure is one ten-billionth of the pressure on Earth.

Lithium-ion Battery

Battery Terminal

Photos: Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd.

Lithium-ion Battery / Battery Terminal

Photos: Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd.

About the Hayabusa Project

Hayabusa left earth for the asteroid Itokawa in May 2003. It landed on Itokawa and collected a sample in November 2005. There were problems including a communication blackout and the shutdown of the main engine due to device defects, raising concerns that Hayabusa might not be able to return to Earth. However, the asteroid probe entered the Earth's atmosphere and succeeded in bringing back a capsule containing samples to our planet in June 2011.
Hayabusa 2, the successor to Hayabusa, set off on its mission to the asteroid Ryugu in June 2014. After arriving on the asteroid in June 2018, Hayabusa 2 returned successfully to Earth along with its capsule carrying samples from Ryugu in December 2020.

Hayabusa approaching Itokawa
(Illustration by Akihiro Ikeshita)

Hayabusa collecting a samples on Itokawa
(Illustration by Akihiro Ikeshita)

Capsule that successfully returned to Earth
(Photo: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA))

Hayabusa 2 approaching Ryugu
(Photo: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA))

Contributing to the Development of Reusable Rockets

Development is underway for rockets that can be reused after returning from space. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) chose Kyocera's ceramic components for an experimental reusable rocket where they used in a sensor that accurately monitors the state of the liquid fuel from refueling to flight.

People who read this page also read.

Strength (2)

Strength (2)

Rigidity—Less Elastic Deformation Compared to Metals

Rigidity—Less Elastic Deformation Compared to Metals

Characteristics of Fine Ceramics

Fine Ceramics at Work in the Deep Sea

Fine Ceramics at Work in the Deep Sea

Playing an Important Role in Submarine Earthquake Observation

Playing an Important Role in Submarine Earthquake Observation

Learning about Fine Ceramics

Fine Ceramics at Work in the Large Hadron Collider

Fine Ceramics at Work in the Large Hadron Collider

Providing Support 100-m Underground to Control Protons and Observe Experimental Results

Providing Support 100-m Underground to Control Protons and Observe Experimental Results

Learning about Fine Ceramics

Fine Ceramics at Work in the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)

Fine Ceramics at Work in the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)

Developed Technology for Large-Diameter Insulated Fine Ceramic Ring

Developed Technology for Large-Diameter Insulated Fine Ceramic Ring

Learning about Fine Ceramics