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Comet nucleus and asteroid sample return missionsDuring the 1991-92 academic year, the Pennsylvania State University has developed three sample return missions: one to the nucleus of comet Wild 2, one to the asteroid Eros, and one to three asteroids located in the Main Belt. The primary objective of the comet nucleus sample return mission is to rendezvous with a short period comet and acquire a 10 kg sample for return to Earth. Upon rendezvous with the comet, a tethered coring and sampler drill will contact the surface and extract a two-meter core sample from the target site. Before the spacecraft returns to Earth, a monitoring penetrator containing scientific instruments will be deployed for gathering long-term data about the comet. A single asteroid sample return mission to the asteroid 433 Eros (chosen for proximity and launch opportunities) will extract a sample from the asteroid surface for return to Earth. To limit overall mission cost, most of the mission design uses current technologies, except the sampler drill design. The multiple asteroid sample return mission could best be characterized through its use of future technology including an optical communications system, a nuclear power reactor, and a low-thrust propulsion system. A low-thrust trajectory optimization code (QuickTop 2) obtained from the NASA LeRC helped in planning the size of major subsystem components, as well as the trajectory between targets.
Document ID
19940021199
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Melton, Robert G. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Thompson, Roger C. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Starchville, Thomas F., Jr. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Adams, C. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Aldo, A. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Dobson, K. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Flotta, C. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Gagliardino, J. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Lear, M. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Mcmillan, C. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: USRA, Proceedings of the 8th Annual Summer Conference: NASA(USRA Advanced Design Program
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Accession Number
94N25692
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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