The Hera mission: multiple near-earth asteroid sample return

Sears, D. W. G.; Allen, C. C.; Britt, D. T.; Brownlee, D. E.; Franzen, Melissa; Gefert, Leon P.; Gorovan, Stephen; Pieters, C. M.; Preble, Jeffrey C.; Scheeres, Daniel J.; Scott, E. R. D.

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.05.059

Cited by 28 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Some NEAs have low velocities with respect to Earth (∆V), which make them especially accessible for sample-return and manned missions (e.g., Sears et al, 2000;Abell et al, 2009;Reddy et al, 2012a). Furthermore, it is now recognized the threat that some NEAs could represent for civilization in the eventuality of collision (e.g., Chapman and Morrison, 1994;Morrison et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface composition and taxonomic classification of a group of near-Earth and Mars-crossing asteroids

Sanchez

Michelsen

Reddy

et al. 2013

Icarus

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In the past, constraining the surface composition of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) has been difficult due to the lack of high quality near-IR spectral data (0.7-2.5 µm) that contain mineralogically diagnostic absorption bands. Here we present visible (∼ 0.43-0.95 µm) and nearinfrared (∼ 0.7-2.5 µm) spectra of nine NEAs and five Mars-crossing asteroids (MCs). The YT1) as a V-type was made on the basis of its near-infrared spectrum since no visible spectrum is available for this asteroid. A mineralogical analysis was performed on six of the asteroids (those for which near-IR spectra were obtained or previously available). We found that three asteroids (241662 (2000 KO44), 19764 (2000 NF5), 138404 (2000) have mafic silicate compositions consistent with ordinary chondrites, while three others (4055 Magellan, 164121 (2003 YT1), 5407 (1992 AX)) are pyroxene-dominated basaltic achondrite assemblages. In the case of 5407 (1992 AX) we found that its basaltic surface composition contrasts its taxonomic classification as a S-type.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface composition and taxonomic classification of a group of near-Earth and Mars-crossing asteroids

Sanchez

Michelsen

Reddy

et al. 2013

Icarus

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“…Sample return missions (e.g., Sears et al, 2000) have the potential to address these science objectives (and more) using the full capabilities of ground based analysis facilities. Reconnaissance of NEOs to select the most scientifically rewarding candidates for sample return missions is a further motivation for the SMASS NEO observations (Binzel et al, 2004b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observed spectral properties of near-Earth objects: results for population distribution, source regions, and space weathering processes

Binzel

Rivkin

Stuart

et al. 2004

Icarus

346

342

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We present new visible and near-infrared spectroscopic measurements for 252 near-Earth (NEO) and Mars-crossing (MC) objects observed from 1994 through 2002 as a complement to the Small Main-Belt Asteroid Spectroscopic Survey (SMASS, http://smass.mit.edu/). Combined with previously published SMASS results, we have an internally consistent data set of more than 400 of these objects for investigating trends related to size, orbits, and dynamical history. These data also provide the basis for producing a bias-corrected estimate for the total NEO population (Stuart and Binzel, 2004, Icarus 170, 295-311). We find 25 of the 26 Bus (1999, PhD thesis) taxonomic types are represented, with nearly 90% of the objects falling within the broad S-, Q-, X-, and C-complexes. Rare A-and E-types are more common in the MC than NEO population (about 5% compared to < 1%) and may be direct evidence of slow diffusion into MC orbits from the Flora and Hungaria regions, respectively. A possible family of MC objects (C-types) may reside at the edge of the 5:2 jovian resonance. Distinct signatures are revealed for the relative contributions of different taxonomic types to the NEO population through different source regions. E-types show an origin signature from the inner belt, C-types from the mid to outer belt, and P-types from the outer belt. S-and Q-types have effectively identical main-belt source region profiles, as would be expected if they have related origins. A lack of V-types among Mars-crossers suggests entry into NEO space via rapid transport through the ν6 and 3:1 resonances from low eccentricity main-belt orbits, consistent with a Vesta origin. D-types show the strongest signature from Jupiter family comets (JFC), with a strong JFC component also seen among the X-types. A distinct taxonomic difference is found with respect to the jovian Tisserand parameter T , where C-, D-, and X-type (most likely low albedo P-class) objects predominate for T 3. These objects, which may be extinct comets, comprise 4% of our observed sample, but their low albedos makes this magnitude limited fraction under-representative of the true value. With our taxonomy statistics providing a strong component to the diameter limited bias correction analysis of Stuart (2003, PhD thesis), we estimate 10-18% of the NEO population above any given diameter may be extinct comets, taking into account asteroids scattered into T < 3 orbits and comets scattered into T > 3 orbits. In terms of possible space weathering effects, we see a size-dependent transition from ordinary chondrite-like (Q-type) objects to S-type asteroids over the size range of 0.1 to 5 km, where the transition is effectively complete at 5 km. A match between the average surface age of 5 km asteroids and the rate of space weathering could constrain models for both processes. However, space weathering may proceed at a very rapid rate compared with collisional timescales. In this case, the presence or absence of a regolith may be the determining factor for whether or not an object appears "...

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“…New mission concepts, such as a multiple sample return scenario, have been studied within the framework of the Hera proposal (Sears et al 2000). The Simone concept foresees a fleet of small low-cost spacecraft, with each directed to a different target (Wells and Fearn 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamical and compositional assessment of near‐Earth object mission targets

Binzel

Perozzi²,

Rivkin

et al. 2004

Meteorit & Planetary Scien

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Abstract-Using an H-plot analysis, we identify 234 currently known near-Earth objects that are accessible for rendezvous with a "best case" delta-V of less than 7 km/s. We provide a preliminary compositional interpretation and assessment of these potential targets by summarizing the taxonomic properties for 44 objects. Results for one-half (22) of this sample are based on new spectroscopic measurements presented here. Our approach provides an easy-to-update method for giving guidelines to both observers and mission analysts for focusing on objects for which actual mission opportunities are most likely to be found. Observing prospects are presented for categorizing the taxonomic properties of the most accessible targets that are not yet measured.

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The Hera mission: multiple near-earth asteroid sample return

Cited by 28 publications

References 6 publications

Surface composition and taxonomic classification of a group of near-Earth and Mars-crossing asteroids

Surface composition and taxonomic classification of a group of near-Earth and Mars-crossing asteroids

Observed spectral properties of near-Earth objects: results for population distribution, source regions, and space weathering processes

Dynamical and compositional assessment of near‐Earth object mission targets

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