Jovian Trojan Asteroid Exploration by Solar Power Sail-craft

• DOI: 10.2322/tastj.14.pk_1
• Publication Date: 2016-07-28T22:12:12Z
• Authors: Osamu MORI; Takanao SAIKI; Hideki KATO; Yuichi TSUDA; Yuya MIMASU; Yoji SHIRASAWA; Ralf BODEN; Jun MATSUMOTO; Toshihiro CHUJO; Shota KIKUCHI; Junji KIKUCHI; Yusuke OKI; Kosuke AKATSUKA; Takahiro IWATA; Tatsuaki OKADA; Hajime YANO; Shuji MATSUURA; Ryosuke NAKAMURA; Yoko KEBUKAWA; Jun AOKI; Junichiro KAWAGUCHI
• Keywords: Craft; Ion thruster; Solar Power

The solar power sail can generate sufficient electric to drive the high specific ion engine in outer planetary region by thin-film cells attached entire surface of spin-type sail. This paper proposes direct exploration using sail-craft. target is an unexplored D/P-type Jovian Trojan asteroid. A lander separated from sail-craft collect and underground samples asteroid perform in-situ analysis. delivers for sample return Earth as optional goal. Scientific observations during interplanetary cruise are also implemented.