Asteroid Exploration Mission (ASTEREX). An Assessment Study

You are here: Homepage > Search

Asteroid Exploration Mission (ASTEREX). An Assessment Study

The Asteroid Exploration (ASTEREX) mission is discussed. A spacecraft is placed in a carefully chosen orbit about the Sun (perihelion about 1 AU; aphelion about 3.5 AU) which takes it through the asteroid belt. A conventional propulsion system is used to correct the trajectory and to enable four or more asteroids to be approached within about 1,000 km. Specific scientific objectives to be addressed by the ASTEREX mission include: cratering, surface morphology, geology, mineralogy, shape, spin, size, density, close environment, and magnetism. It is concluded that it is essential to include in the payload a versatile imaging system and a radar altimeter. High priority is given to the inclusion of a magnetometer and an infrared spectrometer. The results of a limited statistical analysis of launch opportunities in 1986 are presented. It is shown that missions including 3 and 4 asteroid fly-bys can be acheived by means of an Ariane launcher equipped with a fourth stage. A number of spacecraft configurations are presented. The preferred option is a 3-axis stabilized spacecraft.