The ISHTAR Mission: Probing the Internal Structure of NEOs

Details The ISHTAR Mission: Probing the Internal Structure of NEOs The ISHTAR Mission: Probing the Internal Structure of NEOs

Jan 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005hia....13..738b&link_type=abstract

Highlights of Astronomy, Vol. 13, as presented at the XXVth General Assembly of the IAU - 2003 [Sydney, Australia, 13 - 26 July

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

ISHTAR (Internal Structure High-resolution Tomography by Asteroid Rendezvous) is a mission developed through ESA General Studies programme. The study led by Astrium in cooperation with several scientific institutes throughout Europe has produced a spacecraft design capable of performing multiple asteroid rendezvous and to characterize them with a focussed set of instruments. The ISHTAR concept is centred around a Radar Tomography payload able to probe the internal structure of a small asteroid to depths of 300-1000m. This instrument uses low-frequency radio waves that can penetrate deep inside solid rock and records the reflected echoes caused by changes in the internal structure (permittivity). By combining these echo signals it is possible to reconstruct a 3D image of the asteroid interior. The radar payload is combined with a multispectral imager for measurement of the surface properties & surface geology an IR spectrometer for mineralogical characterization and a radio science experiment for accurate mass and density determination. The ISHTAR mission is designed to visit at least 2 NEOs one stony and one carbonaceous in composition the most common among the NEO population. This unique combination of instruments and multiple rendezvous will allow the first detailed physical characterization of the NEO population.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The ISHTAR Mission: Probing the Internal Structure of NEOs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The ISHTAR Mission: Probing the Internal Structure of NEOs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The ISHTAR Mission: Probing the Internal Structure of NEOs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-806306