Physical Characterization of Near-Earth Asteroids: Backup Targets for the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission

Details Physical Characterization of Near-Earth Asteroids: Backup Targets for the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission Physical Characterization of Near-Earth Asteroids: Backup Targets for the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission

Jun 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010sptz.prop70163e&link_type=abstract

Spitzer Proposal ID #70163

Physics

Scientific paper

We propose to use Spitzer/IRAC to physically characterize 8 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). These eight targets have particular interest as potential backups for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. Specifically, we will measure the sizes and albedos of all 8 objects, the thermal inertias of two of these, and the rotation period of one. Fluxes of NEAs in the two IRAC channels are dominated by thermal emission, measurement of which enables determination of size and albedo. Knowledge of these two fundamental properties is critical for interpreting the origin and evolution of the NEA population, as well as for determining whether an object is a good target for a given spacecraft mission. Two targets have both pre- and post-opposition apparitions during GO7. Obtaining thermal fluxes of both the morning and evening side of a target provides the opportunity to not only improve the size/albedo determination, but to constrain the thermal inertia. Lightcurves of one of these NEAs measured with IRAC will provide rotation periods and constraints on shapes

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