「はやぶさ（MUSES-C）」は，近地球型とよばれる小惑星「イトカワ」を探査しました．この計画を通して，小惑星から表面の物質（サンプル）を地球に持ち帰る技術（サンプルリターン）を実証しました．
「はやぶさ」は，将来の本格的なサンプルリターン探査に必須となる技術を実証することを目的とした工学技術実証のための探査機で，イオンエンジン・自律航法・標本採取・サンプルリターンという４つの重要技術の実証を行いました．
2010年6月13日に地球へ帰還し，搭載カプセルをオーストラリア・ウーメラ砂漠へ落下させ，その運用を終えました．地球に持ち帰ったサンプルは，地球上で分析が行われ，小惑星の形成過程を考える上での新しい知見をもたらし，今後の小惑星探査における重要な指標となりました．

Asteroids are thought to be celestial bodies that preserve information from the time of the Solar System's formation. If we collect a sample from an asteroid and bring it back to Earth to carry out precise research on it, we can gain some precious clues to understand the origin and evolution of the Solar System.
Bringing back a sample from a celestial body in the Solar System is called "Sample Return." "HAYABUSA" is a probe to verify the practicality of acquired technology developed to archive future full-scale "sample return missions."
"HAYABUSA' was launched aboard the M-V Launch Vehicle on May 9,2003. It was accelerated by a swing-by of the Earth in May 2004 and reached its target Asteroid Itokawa on September 12,2005, after traveling about 2 billion kilometers. in September and October that year, "HAYABUSA" completed the most remote-sensing and measurement of the geometry of Itokawa and made two landings in November to collect a sample from Itakawa.
] Through scientific observations performed during "HAYABUSA's" stay on Itokawa various knowledge was obtained including on its gravity and surface condition. The achievements of "HAYABUSA" were featured in the scientific magazine, "Science."