OKEANOS: Solar Power Sail Exploration to Relics of the Planetary Migration
Abstract
OKEANOS (Oversize Kite-craft for Exploration and AstroNautics in the Outer Solar system) is a JAXA-lead mission to explore a primitive body in the outer Solar System. The science goal of this mission includes the understanding of the Solar System evolution especially to find a clue to planetary migration process, the investigation of the zoning of materials or isotopic ratios in the ancient Solar System by characterizing D-/P-type asteroids, and the verification of the scenarios of supplying volatiles into the inner Solar System. The candidate target body is a Jupiter Trojan asteroid, and possibly a trapped satellite of Jupiter. During a long-term cruise, measurements such as interplanetary dust and solar wind magnetic field will be conducted along the track from the inner to the outer Solar System, as well as astronomical observations will be carried out outside of the dusty asteroid belt or in use of long baseline from earth. OKEANOS will consists of the main spacecraft, a small satellite, and small landers (CubeSats). The 3-axis stabilized main spacecraft is based on chemical propulsion with a large area thin-film solar paddle for solar sailing. OKEANOS will rendezvous with the target body to characterize it by remote sensing. The spacecraft will descend from the home position to the surface of the target body during which high-resolution and close-up observations are carried out, then land the target's surface to collect sample, and ascend back to the home position. In situ analysis will be performed for the collected sample. Small landers will be deployed to investigate the target body in detail, and a small satellite will have a large area solar power sail for its longevity and astronautics experiments such as orbiting and probably landing.
- Publication:
-
43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E.293O