Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) are easily accessible objects in Earth's vicinity. As NASA continues to refine its plans to possibly explore NEAs with humans, initial reconnaissance with comparatively inexpensive robotic precursors is necessary. Obtaining and analyzing relevant data about these bodies via robotic precursors before committing a crew to visit an NEA will significantly minimize crew and mission risk, as well as maximize exploration return potential. The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory are jointly developing the Near-Earth Asteroid Scout (NEAS) utilizing a low-cost CubeSat platform in response to the current needs for affordable missions with exploration science value. The mission is enabled by the use of an 85-sq m solar sail being developed by MSFC (figs. 1 and 2).


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    Title :

    Near-Earth Asteroid Scout


    Contributors:
    Walden, Amy (author) / Clardy, Dennon (author) / Johnson, Les (author)


    Publication date :

    2015-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Near Earth Asteroid Scout

    L. Johnson | NTIS | 2015


    Near Earth Asteroid Scout

    Johnson, Les | NTRS | 2015


    Near-Earth Asteroid Scout

    McNutt, Leslie / Johnson, Les / Clardy, Dennon et al. | NTRS | 2014


    Near-Earth Asteroid Scout

    L. McNutt / L. Johnson / D. Clardy et al. | NTIS | 2014


    Near Earth Asteroid Scout

    Johnson, Les | NTRS | 2015