ASTER (spacecraft)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ASTER is a planned space mission under development by the Brazilian Space Agency that will launch a spacecraft to orbit a near-Earth object known as (153591) 2001 SN263, a triple asteroid system. The launch is scheduled for 2025, with a rendezvous in 2024/2027.[2]
Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...
Mission type | Technology, reconnaissance |
---|---|
Operator | Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) |
Mission duration | Cruise phase: 1.8 years Science phase: 4 months[1] |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | ASTER |
Bus | MetNet[1] |
Manufacturer | Brazilian Space Agency and its Brazilian partners |
Launch mass | 150 kg (330 lb), including 66 kg (146 lb) xenon propellant[2] |
Dry mass | 89 kg (196 lb) |
Payload mass | 30 kg (66 lb)[2] |
Power | 2.1 kW [3] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | June 2025 [2] |
Asteroid 2001 SN263 orbiter | |
Orbital insertion | September 2027 [1] |
Instruments | |
Imaging camera, laser rangefinder, infrared spectrometer, synthetic aperture radar, mass spectrometer | |
Close
According to de Brum et al. 2021,[4] the launch is planned for June 2022 (asteroid arrival in December 2024) or June 2025 (arrival September 2027).