DEVELOPMENT OF THE SAMPLING DEVICE FOR UNDIFFERENTIATED ASTEROID SURFACE AND SUB-SURFACE MATERIALS

摘要

Following up the Hayabusa mission, Japan is aiming for the next generation sample return mission from multiple primitive asteroids, including most favorably a C-type asteroid, at which one can expect both organic and hydrated minerals to unveil the origin and chemical evolution of life precursors and extraterrestrial waters. The paper will discuss the current design and development effort of a sampling device from surface and sub-surface environment of such C-type asteroids, by taking the most advantage of the Hayabusa sampling device and sequence with new technology.