[P-PS06] Planetary Sciences

[PPS06-10] The Next Generation small-body Sample Return mission: Mission status report

*Yuri Shimaki¹, Hiroyuki Kurokawa², Naoya Sakatani¹, Ryota Fukai¹, Tatsuaki Okada¹, Hiroki Senshu³, Ryo Suetsugu⁴, Jun Aoki⁵, Yoko Kebukawa⁶, Atsushi Kumamoto⁷, Satoshi Tanaka¹, Taichi Kawamura⁸, Seitaro Urakawa⁹, Eri Tatsumi¹, Yuki Takao¹⁰, Shota Kikuchi¹¹, Osamu Mori¹, Takanao Saiki¹, Yuichi Tsuda¹ (1.Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 2.The University of Tokyo, 3.Chiba Institute of Technology, 4.National Institute of Technology, Oshima College, 5.Osaka University, 6.Institute of Science Tokyo, 7.Tohoku University,, 8.Université de Paris, 9.Japan Spaceguard Association, 10.Kyushu University, 11.National Astronomical Observatory of Japan)

Keywords:The Solar-System Exploration, Small Bodies, Comets, Sample Return

A sample return mission is a powerful way to obtain samples of extraterrestrial material with clearly defined origins and geological conditions without contamination by terrestrial materials. This is a significant advantage over conventional meteorite research. The returned samples will be analyzed with high spatial and mass resolution by researchers worldwide using state-of-the-art analytical instruments. Combining these results with remote sensing data from the target body during the spacecraft's proximity operations significantly contributes to elucidating the formation history of the target body and the formation and evolution processes of solar system bodies. Hayabusa 2 has achieved many successes, with 14 papers published in Nature and Science and over 50 in their related publications. OSIRIS-REx is also beginning to report the results of its analysis of returned samples [e.g., 1, 2]. A subsequent sample return mission, MMX, will launch in October 2026 and return to Earth in July 2031.[3]
We have been working together in the Science and Engineering Working Group to study the Next Generation Small Body Sample Return (NGSR) mission, the next Strategic Large Class plan to be realized in the 2030s. At the end of July 2024, we submitted a mission concept proposal to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), but the narrowing down of the candidates has been postponed. We are studying our mission concept study and conducting front-loading activities in preparation for the re-narrowing in the near future.
The scientific objectives of this mission are: I) to elucidate the origin of the "matter" in the solar system by tracing the evolution of galactic materials, and II) to elucidate the origin of the "celestial bodies" in the solar system by examining the process of planetesimal formation. The Jupiter family comet 289P/Blanpain was selected as the nominal candidate for the target. The nominal mission period is to launch in 2034, arrive at the celestial body in 2040, and return to Earth in 2046. The probe system consists of the Deep Space Orbital Transfer Vehicle (DS-OTV), which will transport daughter spacecraft from Earth to the comet and back, and the lander, which will perform touchdown (TD) sampling on the comet. This will enable both avoiding the risk of total spacecraft loss associated with TD operations and challenging sampling. By sampling from multiple locations and accessing subsurface materials using a Small Complementary Impactor (SCI), we will collect surface and subsurface material from the comet. The samples collected by the lander will be handed over to the DS-OTV for each TD and returned to Earth by the sample return capsule. Volatiles and organics from the comet will be analyzed in situ using a high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS) onboard the spacecraft. In addition to sample return, we are considering bistatic radar observations using the DS-OTV and lander and exploring the internal structure using a seismometer to clarify the comet's formation processes.

References: [1] Nakamura, T. et al. (2023) Science 379, eabn8671. DOI:10.1126/science.abn8671. [2] Lauretta, D. S., et al. (2024).MAPS, 59(9), 2453-2486. [3] https://www.mmx.jaxa.jp/mission/