Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.4508d&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #45.08; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.568
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
A comprehensive strategy for the characterization of near earth objects (NEO's) should include missions that probe the structure and composition with in-situ instrumentation deployed on the surface of the object. In this presentation, we will describe a Discovery-class rendezvous mission concept that includes both remote sensing and surface measurements. The latter is achieved by deploying multiple small, self-righting surface probes from the hovering spacecraft that can be used to assess the composition and geophysical state of NEO surface and interior environments. Each surface probe payload notionally includes a set of cameras for imaging the body surface at mm-scale resolution, an accelerometer package to measure surface mechanical properties upon probe impact, an APX spectrometer for measuring surface elemental composition, and an explosive charge that can be remotely detonated at the end of the surface mission to serve as a seismic source for the accelerometers that are resident in the remaining probes. In addition, this explosive charge would excavate an artificial crater that can be remotely observed from the orbiting spacecraft with an imaging spectrometer. The orbiter augments the mission's information return by accurately determining the NEO mass and shape, providing a platform for multiple phase angle imaging, and carrying a stable beacon for the accurate measurement of the object ephemeris. This presentation will cover the science that can be addressed by such a mission, several payload options, and surface probe design trades, including possible mobility and surface coupling schemes.
Dissly Richard
van Cleve Jeff
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