A5083670954- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Historical Astronomy and Related Studies
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- History and Developments in Astronomy
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Inertial Sensor and Navigation
- Satellite Communication Systems
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
University of Bologna
2020-2025
Research Centre for Cereal and Industrial Crops
2024
Abstract The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) had an impact with Dimorphos (a satellite of the asteroid Didymos) on 26 September 2022 1 . Ground-based observations showed that Didymos system brightened by a factor 8.3 after because ejecta, returning to pre-impact brightness 23.7 days afterwards 2 Hubble Space Telescope made from 15 minutes 18.5 after, spatial resolution 2.1 kilometres per pixel, complex evolution ejecta 3 , consistent other events. momentum enhancement factor,...
Abstract Asteroids smaller than 10 km are thought to be rubble piles formed from the reaccumulation of fragments produced in catastrophic disruption parent bodies. Ground-based observations reveal that some these asteroids today binary systems, which a secondary orbits larger primary asteroid. However, how became systems remains unclear. Here, we report analysis boulders on surface stony asteroid (65803) Didymos and its moonlet, Dimorphos, data collected by NASA DART mission. The...
Abstract NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft impacted Dimorphos, the natural satellite of (65803) Didymos, on 2022 September 26, as a first successful test kinetic impactor technology for deflecting potentially hazardous object in space. The experiment resulted small change to dynamical state Didymos system consistent with expectations and Level 1 mission requirements. In preencounter paper, predictions were put forward regarding pre- postimpact system. Here we assess...
Abstract Spacecraft observations revealed that rocks on carbonaceous asteroids, which constitute the most numerous class by composition, can develop millimeter-to-meter-scale fractures due to thermal stresses. However, signatures of this process second-most populous group S-complex, have been poorly constrained. Here, we report boulders’ Dimorphos, is moonlet S-complex asteroid (65803) Didymos, target NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) planetary defense mission. We show...
Abstract We modeled the geometry and three-dimensional orientation of ejecta cone triggered by impact DART spacecraft on asteroid Dimorphos. used eight LUKE images acquired CubeSat LICIACube that flew Didymos system shortly after impact. These images, which show in both face-on side-on profiles, enabled us to reconstruct inertial space. started our model as a simple with circular base developed it rotated an elliptical best fit data. The axis points R.A., decl. (in J2000): <?CDATA...
Abstract In June 2021, the Juno spacecraft executed a close flyby of Ganymede. During encounter, passed behind Ganymede for 15 min as observed from Earth, providing geometry to conduct radio occultation experiment probe Ganymede's tenuous ionosphere. X‐band and Ka‐band links were transmitted antennas at Deep Space Network. Electrons encountered along propagation path advance signal's phase linear combination two frequencies allows direct measurement electron content path. On ingress, an...
Abstract Juno performed close flybys of the innermost Galilean moon, Io, in December 2023 (I57) and February 2024 (I58). During these flybys, radio link connecting spacecraft to Earth observing stations NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) propagated through Alfvén wing, a magnetospheric feature which plasma is produced between Io Jupiter. The sensitive elevated electron densities wing. A direct measurement total content was made by linear combination Juno's X‐band Ka‐band downlink frequencies....
During Juno&#8217;s extended mission, the spacecraft performed four close flybys of Galilean satellites. Each encounter with a satellite occurred during ascending node crossing orbit and reduced orbital period spacecraft, phasing for subsequent encounter. each encounter, radio occultation experiment could be using science instrumentation. Ganymede in June 2021 Europa September 2022, occultations moon&#8217;s ionospheres were performed. Both yielded detections ionospheres, revealing...
Hera, the European Space Agency&#8217;s pioneering planetary defense mission, was successfully launched on October 7, 2024, from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This milestone marks critical step in Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) collaboration, which Hera undertakes synergy with NASA&#8217;s DART mission. The mission's primary objective is to perform an in-depth post-impact analysis of Didymos binary asteroid system, focusing Dimorphos, smaller moon...
The Juno extended mission (2023&#8211;2025) offers a unique opportunity to study Jupiter&#8217;s atmosphere by radio occultations. In these experiments, the atmospheric refractivity and bending angle affecting signal crossing planetary can be inferred analyzing Doppler shift induced on downlink frequencies, at X Ka bands, recorded NASA Deep Space Network stations. analysis is conducted using ray-tracing-based inversion algorithm that accounts for oblateness effects of zonal winds....
In the framework of Artemis-1 mission, 10 CubeSats will be released, including 6U CubeSat ArgoMoon, built by Italian company Argotec and coordinated Space Agency. The primary goal ArgoMoon is to capture images Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. Then, placed into a highly elliptical orbit around Earth with several encounters Moon. this phase, navigation process require precise Orbit Determination (OD) Flight Path Control (FPC) satisfy requirements. OD estimate spacecraft trajectory using...
Abstract On 29 September 2022 the Juno spacecraft flew within 354 km of Europa's surface while several instruments probed moon's surroundings. During close flyby, radio occultations were performed by collecting single‐frequency Doppler measurements. These investigations are essential to study ionosphere and represent first repeat sampling any set conditions since Galileo era. Ingress measurements resulted in a marginal detection with peak ionospheric density 4,000 ± 3,700 cm −3 (3 σ ) at 22...
Abstract The ASI cubesat LICIACube has been part of the first planetary defense mission DART, having among its scopes to complement DRACO images better constrain Dimorphos shape. had two different cameras, LEIA and LUKE, accomplish goal, it exploited unique possibility acquiring hemisphere not seen by DART from a vantage point view, in both time space. This work is indeed aimed at constraining tridimensional shape Dimorphos, starting LUKE nonimpacted results obtained looking impacted...
The shallow layers of the Jovian atmosphere, only regions accessible to direct investigation through in situ sampling and remote sensing experiments, are looking glass which unknowns Jupiter's structure revealed. Radio occultation experiments have proved offer invaluable opportunities investigate atmospheric dynamics Jupiter, akin descending a probe into its upper layers, offering unique insights thermal composition. Since July 2023, Juno's extended mission has presented multitude such...
Hera is a European Space Agency (ESA) space mission, part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) international collaboration with NASA, targeted launch to Didymos system next October 2024. Following last 26 September 2022 extremely successful NASA&#8217;s DART impact on Dimorphos, secondary body binary system, all attention now focused mission. The main goals are detailed study characterization DART&#8217;s crater, analysis in terms momentum transfer efficiency,...
While ground-based spacecraft radio tracking is a well-established technique, the use of miniaturized space-to-space inter-satellite links, capable determining Doppler shift due to relative line-of-sight velocity between two spacecraft, has not been explored frequently in past. The satellite-to-satellite option allows increase accuracy results for both planetary bodies' mass and gravity field determination as well S/C positioning. In this work, Hera mission link described characterized....
On July 31st, 2023 and September 9th, 2023, Juno performed the first studies of Jupiter&#8217;s atmosphere through radio occultation experiments since Voyager Galileo missions. These remote sensing were conducted in a coherent two-way mode, where an uplink signal frequency was used as reference for downlink signals, at X Ka band, transmitted back to Earth. During these experiments, geometry Juno's trajectory such that spacecraft occulted by Jupiter seen from Earth, therefore signal,...
With a targeted launch in October 2024, the European Space Agency&#8217;s Hera mission is set to rendezvous with Didymos binary asteroid system early 2027 and aims conduct detailed post-impact survey of following NASA&#8217;s DART impact on smaller Dimorphos. This work describes Radio Science Experiment (RSE), which precisely estimate values some key physical parameters Dimorphos, including their mass, extended gravity field, rotational state, absolute relative orbits. The expected...
Hera is a planetary defense space mission led by the European Space Agency (ESA), with targeted launch in October 2024. Its primary goals encompass thorough exploration of Didymos binary asteroid system, marking assessment its internal characteristics. Additionally, will meticulously analyze results NASA's DART mission's kinetic impactor experiment. The data gathered promises to be invaluable for any future deflection endeavors and scientific research, deepening our insights into geophysics...
On April 13, 2029, the asteroid 99942 Apophis will have a very close encounter with Earth, transiting GEO ring. This flyby represents unique opportunity to observe well-known potentially hazardous subject strong tidal forces. The time-varying orbital and rotational environment can lead changes in surface slopes. Depending on circumstances, this mechanism may drive significant property asteroid's internal structure granular motion its surface. In context, characterizing bulk density mass...
The Jovian magnetosphere, the largest in Solar System, extends up to 50-100 radii. Io, Jupiter's innermost Galilean moon, orbits deep within this magnetosphere. Io&#8217;s volcanic activity emits 1 ton per second of material into magnetosphere mainly SO2. Collisions with magnetospheric particles ionize SO2, forming a torus-shaped plasma cloud called Io Plasma Torus (IPT) around Jupiter. When moves through Jupiter&#8217;s magnetic field, Alfv&#233;n waves are generated that...