[Eng Sub] Space Probe Hayabusa-san ep. 01

Okay, ready for a massive amount of notes? Here goes:

First off, basic background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayabusa

The probe formerly known as MUSES-C was launched by JAXA aboard a MV5 rocket on May 9, 2003. It was later renamed Hayabusa, which means "falcon" in Japanese.

Its sample horn was meant to collect dust and debris from the asteroid, so that the samples could be returned to Earth. The target markers were reflective markers that Hayabusa carried to help position itself on the asteroid. One of the markers contained the signatures of 880,000 people from around the world.

Hayabusa also carried with it the tiny solar-powered MINERVA lander, which was to land on the asteroid and explore. If successful, MINERVA would stay on the asteroid permanently, and not return to Hayabusa. More on MINERVA if I ever get to episode 2 of this thing.

Hiten was a probe launched by JAXA in the 90's. It performed something like ten swingbys of the moon.

I assume Sagami refers to the Sagamihara campus of JAXA.

Itokawa Hideo is known as the father of the Japanese space program. He was a rocket scientist who, during WWII, also developed the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa fighter plane.

The "I hear your voice coming late!" thing is a reference to famous ventriloquist group (well, one guy and a bunch of dummies) Ikkokudou, who is known for doing his delayed-voice trick. Thanks to Honeysuckle on Animesuki for explaining that reference to me. For the less scientifically inclined, Sagami-san's voice is delayed because Hayabusa-san is so far away that even at the speed of light, radio waves take several minutes to reach her.

Oosumi was the first satellite that Japan launched into orbit, in 1970 I believe. After orbiting for more than 30 years, it finally fell out of orbit and burned up in the atmosphere on August 2, 2003.

MV5-san mentions Lipovitan, which is a Japanese health drink.

Osaka and Tokyo are about 250 miles or 400 km apart.

I translated this video as is, but the original was posted late May. Hayabusa has already returned home by now.

I think those are all the notes I have. Total time spent on this video, probably 10 hours. Script is 275 lines long. Didn't bother translating all the credits as I was too tired.

Until episode 2!

Ah, nearly forgot Nico link:
本家様： http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm10826058
はやぶささん、お疲れ様でした！そして、おやすみなさい。