Japanese researchers discovered while studying grains of dust from the Itokawa asteroid that tiny particles of space dust bombard asteroids and give them their shape.

Japanese scientists have determined that the most common meteorites found on Earth are born from stony asteroids.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, and NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced today that they have successfully operated a Japanese HAYABUSA low power microwave ion engine at Aerojet's facility in Redmond, Wash.

HOUSTON, Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Studies of ice processes on Mars and early science results from a Japanese mission to an asteroid will highlight the 42nd annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference March 7-11 in Houston.

NASA researchers and other scientists will present findings that provide new insights into the evolution of the solar system during the 42nd annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.