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Small Landing Probes For In-Situ Characterization of Asteroids and Comets
Boulder CL (SPX) Jan 16, 2007 The 2007 American Astronomical Society's annual meeting in Seattle, Jan 5-10, included a poster presentation depicting a small landing probe design developed by Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp and was presented by Dennis Ebbets, Senior Business Development Manager for Ball Aerospace's Space Science division in Boulder, CO. Led by Staff Consultant Richard Reinert and Ball's Deputy Director for Solar System Advanced Systems Rich Dissly, Ball Aerospace has a developed a landing probe design concept that would enable characterization of both the surface and interior of small solar system objects, such as asteroids and comets, as part of future space missions to such targets. "The basic probe designed by Ball Aerospace could become a low-cost component of future missions that would enable a rich spectrum of in-situ investigations to a large number of target bodies," said Ebbets. "In many cases more than one probe may be desired to sample different regions or to work together as a network of sensors." The probe design is roughly the size of a basketball, allowing for several to be carried by a rendezvous spacecraft and deployed individually. They are intended to survive a freefall to the surface, impacting with a velocity of only a few meters/second. Deployable panels on the nominally spherical body are designed to ensure self-righting to an operational orientation. Each probe could accommodate a payload of several kilograms, optimized for its particular investigation. Candidates include imagers, accelerometers, X-Ray spectrometers, sample collection and examination mechanisms, and possibly pyrotechnic charges for seismic excitation or cratering experiments. The probe provides a standard suite of services such as battery power, data management and communications with the rendezvous spacecraft. Ball Aerospace is also studying options for mobility, such as "hopping", and for anchoring to the surface of a micro-gravity body. The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The basic objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science. Ball Aerospace celebrated its 50th year in business in 2006. The company began building pointing controls for military rockets in 1956, and later won a contract to build one of NASA's first spacecraft, the Orbiting Solar Observatory. Over the years, the company has been responsible for numerous technological and scientific firsts' and now acts as a technology innovator for important national missions. Related Links Ball Corporation The Iron and Ice Of Our Solar System All about the technology of space and more
Brightest Comet In 40 Years Dazzles
Beijing, China (XNA) Jan 16, 2007The brightest comet for more than 40 years dazzling the skies in the past week will shine over Australia from Monday, Austrailan astronomers said. The McNaught Comet is currently at its closest approach around the sun and will become visible to West Australians from Monday for about a week. James Biggs, director of the Perth Observatory, said. "It should be easy to locate. Find a vantage point with an unobstructed view and look low on the horizon near where the sun has set, in the direction of south-west, around 9 p.m. (WDT)," Biggs said. |
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