MASCOT2 – a small body lander to investigate the interior of 65803 Didymos’ Moon in the frame of AIDA/AIM

Paper number

IAC-17,A3,4B,3,x38591

Author

Mrs. Caroline Lange, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Jens Biele, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Stephan Ulamec, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Christian Krause, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mrs. Barbara Cozzoni, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Oliver Küchemann, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Simon Tardivel, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Tra-Mi Ho, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Jan Thimo Grundmann, DLR (German Aerospace Center), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Christian Ziach, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Christian Grimm, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Bremen, Germany, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Silvio Schröder, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Michael Lange, DLR (German Aerospace Center), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Josef Reill, Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Alain Herique, Universite Grenoble Alpes, France

Coauthor

Mr. Yves Rogez, Universite Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, France

Coauthor

Mr. Sylvain Rochat, Universite Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, France

Coauthor

Mr. Ian Carnelli, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Coauthor

Mr. Andres Galvez, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Coauthor

Mr. Christian Philippe, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Björn Grieger, ESA/ESAC, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Jesus Gil-Fernandez, ESA, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Michael Kueppers, ESA, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Dirk Plettemeier, Technical University Dresden, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Jerzy Grygorczuk, Polish Academy of Sciences - Space Research Centre, Poland

Coauthor

Mrs. Marta Tokarz, Astronika, Poland

Coauthor

Ms. Wejmo Elisabet, DLR, German Aerospace Center, Germany

Year

2017

Abstract

In the frame of NEO exploration and planetary defence, the two-part AIDA mission is currently studied by NASA and ESA. Being composed of a kinetic impactor, DART (NASA), and an observing spacecraft, AIM (ESA), AIDA has been designed to deliver vital data to determine the momentum transfer efficiency of a kinetic impact onto a small body and key physical properties of the target asteroid. This will enable derivation of the impact response of the object as a function of its physical properties, a crucial quantitative point besides the qualitative proof of the deflection. In the course of the AIM mission definition, a lander has been studied as an essential element of the overall mission architecture. It was to be deployed on Didymoon, the secondary of the binary NEA system 65803 Didymos and it was supposed to significantly enhance the analysis of the body’s dynamical state, mass, geophysical properties, surface and subsurface structure.

The mission profile and the design of the 13kg nano-lander are derived from MASCOT flying aboard Hayabusa2, differing from its predecessor by having an increased lifetime of more than three months, a surface mobility capability including directed movement, a sensor system for localization and attitude determination on the surface and a redesigned mechanical interface to the mother S/C.

The MASCOT2 instrument suite consist of a bi-static, low frequency radar (LFR) as main instrument, supported by an accelerometer (DACC), a camera (MasCAM), a radiometer (MARA), and a magnetometer (MasMAG); the latter three already flying on MASCOT1. Besides the radar measurements, the camera will provide high-resolution images of the landing area, and accelerometers will record the bouncing dynamics by which the top surface mechanical properties can be determined. During the DART impact, MASCOT2 could be able to detect the seismic shock, which could give valuable information on the internal structure of the body. MASCOT2 will also serve as a technology demonstrator for very small asteroid landing and extended operations powered by a solar generator.

In this paper, we describe the science concept, mission analysis of the separation, descent and landing phase, the operational timeline, and the latest status of the lander’s design. Despite the fact that AIM funding has not been fully confirmed during the ESA Ministerial conference in 2016, MASCOT2 is an instrument package of high maturity and major interest for planetary defense and NEO science. With appropriate tailoring and optimization it is considered and studied for future missions.

Abstract document

IAC-17,A3,4B,3,x38591.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-17,A3,4B,3,x38591.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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