2010年代前半の地球近傍小惑星サンプルリターン探査機会について

概要

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Analyzed in this paper are Near-Earth Asteroids sample return mission opportunities in early 2010s. The mission sequences supposed are Keplerian orbits connected with impulsive velocity changes including planetary gravity assists. The sequences are constructed by "trajectory parts connecting method", which is exploited by the author. The method enables to construct the possible sequences comprehensively under defined structure and given constraints. At the same time, it enables to assess the dynamical feasibility of the constructed sequences quantitatively by way of the total required velocity increment required to complete the sequences. Over 4000 Near-Earth Asteroids are taken into account as the candidates of the mission targets, and the mission sequences include not only the sample return from a single asteroid, but also the sample return from two asteroids. Lists of the asteroids (or their combinations) which have mission opportunities in early 2010s are provided and some example sequences are shown.