ASTER (spacecraft)

ASTER
Mission typeTechnology, reconnaissance
OperatorBrazilian Space Agency (AEB)
Mission durationCruise phase: 1.8 years
Science phase: 4 months[1]
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftASTER
BusMetNet[1]
ManufacturerBrazilian Space Agency and its Brazilian partners
Launch mass150 kg (330 lb), including 66 kg (146 lb) xenon propellant[2]
Dry mass89 kg (196 lb)
Payload mass30 kg (66 lb)[2]
Power2.1 kW [3]
Start of mission
Launch dateJune 2025 [2]
Asteroid 2001 SN263 orbiter
Orbital insertionSeptember 2027 [1]
Instruments
Imaging camera, laser rangefinder, infrared spectrometer, synthetic aperture radar, mass spectrometer

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]

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).

The mission is not on the list of projects considered by the AEB for the 2022-2031 period.[5] Nor was the list of projects from 2005-2014 or 2012-2021.[6][7]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference J of Phys 2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference ASTER ion engines 2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference jatm 2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ de Brum, Antonio G. V.; Hussmann, Hauke; Wickhusen, Kai; Stark, Alexander (2021-01-01). "Encounter trajectories for deep space mission ASTER to the triple near Earth asteroid 2001-SN263. The laser altimeter (ALR) point of view". Advances in Space Research. 67 (1): 648–661. Bibcode:2021AdSpR..67..648D. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2020.10.042. ISSN 0273-1177.
  5. ^ Brasileira, Agência Espacial (2023). Programa Nacional de Atividades Espaciais – PNAE 2022-2031 (in Brazilian Portuguese) (2 ed.). Brasília: Agência Espacial Brasileira. p. 91. ISBN 978-65-980268-1-3.
  6. ^ Brasileira, Agência Espacial (2005). Programa Nacional de Atividades Espaciais – PNAE 2005-2014 (PDF) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Brasilia: Agência Espacial Brasileira. p. 114.
  7. ^ Brasileira, Agência Espacial (2012). Programa Nacional de Atividades Espaciais – PNAE 2012-2021 (PDF) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Brasilia: Agência Espacial Brasileira. p. 36.