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Hayabusa2 is on its final approach to asteroid 162173 Ryugu, expected to arrive in July 2018.

Like its predecessor, Hayabusa2 uses an ion thruster for deep-space propulsion, but I can't find any information on the exact engine.

What is the name of the engine on board Hayabusa2 and what performance (specific impulse) can it achieve?

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Searching for "hayabusa 2 thruster specifications" leads me to a paper titled Development and Testing of the Hayabusa2 Ion Engine System. The thruster is called µ10, four of them are used in a single gimbaling mount, and the specific impulse ranges from 2740 s to 2890 s depending on power level. Thrust is 6.3-9.0 mN.

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  • $\begingroup$ Also just found it Googling for "Hayabusa2 ion thruster" ;-) See section I. Microwave Discharge Ion Engine System $\endgroup$
    – user10509
    May 29, 2018 at 14:41
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    $\begingroup$ Not quite sure how I missed that! That paper's a real treasure trove - impressive how they improved the thrust by some 20% for such a small power increase from Hayabusa 1. $\endgroup$
    – Jack
    May 29, 2018 at 16:07
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    $\begingroup$ A far cry below the 129kW of the 1,299cc Hayabusa engine. =) $\endgroup$
    – Cort Ammon
    May 29, 2018 at 18:13
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It's a custom engine designed for the mission, based on the "IES" engine from Haybusa1. There's a paper on the design and construction that claims a specific impulse of 2740 – 2890 (s), about the same as Hayabusa1.

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  • $\begingroup$ Russell Borogove's answer points to a more recent paper with more info. $\endgroup$
    – Bob Jacobsen
    May 29, 2018 at 15:10

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