ASTEX – an in-situ exploration mission to two near-Earth asteroids

Abstract

ASTEX is a feasibility study of an in-situ exploration mission to two near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) funded by the German Space Agency DLR. The mission objectives call for targets with different mineralogical compositions: one asteroid should be of “primitive'' nature, the other one should be a fragment of a differentiated asteroid. The goals of the mission are to explore the physical, geological and mineralogical nature of the asteroids and to provide information and constraints on the formation and evolution history of our planetary system. In addition, the detailed knowledge of the properties of NEAs will allow for the selection of potential mitigation systems when required. The mission scenario consists of an orbiting and landing phase at each target. Aims of the study: The primary aim of the study is to define the high-level goals of the ASTEX mission as well as to identify and to analyze mission scenarios which support these goals. The study includes: 1) Identification of potential target pairs, optimized trajectories and orbits around NEAs. 2) Identification of the optimum propulsion system. 3) Selection of the scientific strawman payload of orbiter and lander systems. 4) Analysis of the requirements and options for the spacecraft bus and the lander system. 5) Identification of the requirements for the operational ground segment.