ASTEX: An in situ exploration mission to two near-Earth asteroids |
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Authors: | A Nathues H Boehnhardt AW Harris C Jentsch S Schaeff F Weischede A Wiegand N Schmitz W Goetz Z Kachri |
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Institution: | 1. Max-Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Max-Planck Str. 2, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany;2. DLR, Institut für Planetenforschung, Rutherfordstraße 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany;3. Astrium GmbH, Claude-Dornier-Straße, 88039 Friedrichshafen, Germany;4. Astos Solutions, Grund 1, 78089 Unterkirnach, Germany;5. DLR GSOC, Münchner Straße 20, 82234 Weßling, Germany;6. LSE Space AG, Münchner Straße 20, 82234 Weßling, Germany |
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Abstract: | ASTEX (ASTeroid EXplorer) is a concept study of an in situ exploration mission to two Near-Earth-Asteroids (NEAs), which consists of an orbiting element and two individual lander units. The target candidates have different mineralogical compositions, i.e. one asteroid is chosen to be of “primitive’’ nature, the other to be a fragment of a differentiated asteroid. The main scientific goals of the ASTEX mission are the exploration of the physical, geological, and mineralogical nature of the NEAs. The higher level goal is the provision of information and constraints on the formation and evolution of our planetary system. The study identified realistic mission scenarios, defined the strawman payload as well as the requirements and options for the spacecraft bus including the propulsion system, the landers, the launcher, and assessed and defined the requirements for the mission’s operational ground segment. |
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Keywords: | NEO NEA Exploration Interplanetary mission Mission study |
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