Key Technologies Road Map For Near-Earth Asteroid Sample Return

Paper number

IAC-07-A5.I.-A3.I.B.16

Author

Mr. Vincent Martinot, Thales Alenia Space, France

Year

2007

Abstract

There is a strong scientific interest to collect a sample from a primitive minor body – an asteroid of type C or D or eventually a dormant comet – and bring it back to Earth for an in-depth investigation. In particular, an implementation of a Near-Earth asteroid sample return mission would be possible in the frame of the ESA Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 exploration program. 
Although this mission has commonalities with other envisaged sample return missions – e.g. Earth atmospheric re-entry at high velocity - the specific low gravity environment of minor bodies induces pecularities on some of the critical technologies to master to ensure a successful mission. Among them, one can cite the sample/transfer collection and the in-orbit rendez-vous - the latter being present in the mission scenario if only  the sampling is performed by a subvehicle -.
For the technologies related to these two critical phases of a NEA sample return mission, the paper will clearly present their current development status in Europe before indicating the level of development in other leading space-fairing nations, giving indications for a possible collaborations at international level to implement an actual mission.
Concerning the sample collection, a peculiar focus will be made on drilling technologies since they greatly differ with the scientific requirements, at first order with the depth of the drilling and the mass of the sample collection. In that field, Europe appears to lay back with regards to other space nations in terms of validated technologies for drilling deeply. 
The paper will be based on sample return missions (NEA and Deimos Sample Return) studied by Alcatel Alenia Space. Their analysis enables to illustrate the spacecraft related technology needs. And the current technology status and development approaches will be presented taking benefit of Alcatel Alenia Space strong involvement in the R\&D actions covering autonomous orbit rendezvous and automated sample canister capture and transfer.
Finally, the paper will present a consistent technology road map and Alcatel Alenia Space proposed demonstration steps for these technologies.

Authors:
V. Martinot*, X. Roser+, F.Feresin+, G.B. Amata-
* Alcatel Alenia Space France, Toulouse, France
+ Alcatel Alenia Space France, Cannes, France
-Alcatel Alenia Space Italy, Torino, Italy
e-mail: vincent.martinot@alcatelaleniaspace.com

Abstract document

IAC-07-A5.I.-A3.I.B.16.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-A5.I.-A3.I.B.16.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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