Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return
Proposed Japanese sample-return mission
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Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR) is a proposed space mission concept by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aimed at returning samples from a small Solar System body such as an asteroid or comet.[3] Its main target is the comet 289P/Blanpain, a short-period comet with an orbital period of 5.2 years.[4]
| Mission type | Sample return |
|---|---|
| Operator | JAXA |
| Mission duration | 12 years (planned)[1] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | DSOTV[2] |
| Launch mass | ~2,000 kg (4,400 lb) |
| Landing mass | ~130 kg (290 lb) |
| Dry mass |
|
| Payload mass | 265 kg (584 lb) |
| Dimensions |
|
| Power |
|
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | January 2034 (planned)[1] |
| Rocket | H3-22S[2] |
| Launch site | Tanegashima Space Center |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered |
| Landing date | December 2046 (planned)[1] |
| Flyby of Earth | |
| Closest approach | November 2035[2] |
| Rendezvous with 289P/Blanpain | |
| Arrival date | January 2040[2] |
| Departure date | February 2042[1] |
| Transponders | |
| Bandwidth | X band: 64 kbit/s[2] |
The mission is intended to build upon Japan's previous sample-return missions, including Hayabusa and Hayabusa2, which successfully returned material from near-Earth asteroids.[5]
Objectives
The primary goal of NGSR is to collect and return pristine material from a small celestial body to Earth for detailed scientific analysis.[6] Such samples could provide insights into the early Solar System, the formation of planets, and the origins of organic compounds.[2]
Additional objectives may include in situ analysis, surface mapping, and testing new technologies for deep-space exploration.[7]
Background
Japan has been a leader in asteroid sample-return missions. The Hayabusa mission returned samples from asteroid 25143 Itokawa in 2010, while Hayabusa2 delivered material from 162173 Ryugu in 2020.[4]
NGSR is expected to incorporate advanced technologies developed from these missions, potentially enabling more complex sampling operations and access to different types of targets.[8]
Backup targets
Five additional launch windows were identified for the mission towards 289P between 2033 and 2039.[2] Aside from 289P/Blanpain, several asteroids and comets were considered as backup targets in case the 2034 launch window were missed.[2] These objects include comets 15P/Finlay and 252P/LINEAR, as well as the following asteroids; 2003 XM, (451124) 2009 KC3, and 2016 LX48.[2]