Minerva is lost due to an avoidable human error (IMHO),
but the sample retrieval operation is still 'GO' for next week.

http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/missions/hayabusa/today.shtml
Distance from Earth : 289,391,630 km
Distance from Itokawa : Returning to Home Position
*We performed the touch-down test with success.
*We were able to communicate with MINERVA after its release.

http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=213575
Probing robot may have failed to land on asteroid Itokawa
TOKYO, Nov. 12 KYODO
A small probing robot released by a Japanese space probe Saturday toward an asteroid orbiting the sun between Earth and Mars may have failed to land and has likely drifted away from the asteroid, Japan's space agency announced.
The probe, named Hayabusa, released the hopping robot called Minerva toward the asteroid Itokawa at 3:24 p.m. as part of a rehearsal for its own planned descents later this month, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency officials said earlier.
Saturday November 12, 10:45 PM (9:45 AM EST)
LEAD: Probing robot may have failed to land on asteroid Itokawa
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/051112/kyodo/d8dr004g1.html