Bering - a deep space mission to study the smallest asteroids
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review
The size distribution of kilometer-sized asteroids implies that the presently un-detected population of sub-kilometer asteroids far outnumber the known larger objects. Although small, sub-kilometer asteroids may provide unique insight into the evolution of the asteroid belt and the meteorite-asteroid connection. Small asteroids probably have fresh surfaces with minimal regolith cover thus presenting a clearer view of their internal structure. Streams of small asteroids connecting parent asteroids with resonances may provide insight into the transfer of material to the inner Solar System. We propose a space mission to detect and study these objects. A key feature of the mission is full onboard autonomy of both object detection and tracking, thus reducing the cost of running the mission to a minimum, while enabling science to focus on the main objectives.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of Asteroids, Comets, Meteors - ACM 2002. International Conference |
Number of pages | 3 |
Place of Publication | Berlin, Germany |
Publisher | ESA Publications Division |
Publication date | 1 Nov 2002 |
Pages | 83-86 |
ISBN (Print) | 92-9092-810-7 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2002 |
Series | Proceedings of Asteroids, Comets, Meteors – ACM 2002 |
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ISSN | 9092-8107 |
Links
- https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/2002ESASP.500...83H
Final published version
ID: 347111938