In 2008, Ogata was assigned to a mission to explore the asteroid Imol 008, a small, irregularly shaped body located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The mission, codenamed “Imol 008 Exploration Mission,” aimed to study the asteroid’s composition, size, and orbital patterns. Ogata, along with her crewmates, was tasked with operating the spacecraft, collecting data, and conducting experiments on the asteroid’s surface.
On August 10, 2008, the Hayabusa spacecraft finally reached Imol 008, and Ogata became the first person to lay eyes on the asteroid. The initial observations revealed that Imol 008 was a relatively small asteroid, measuring approximately 300 meters in diameter. Ogata and her crew began collecting data, taking photographs, and conducting experiments to determine the asteroid’s composition and properties. Imol 008 Hitomi Ogata
Unveiling Imol 008: The Story of Hitomi Ogata** In 2008, Ogata was assigned to a mission