Space missions
Last updated 2010 February 3
SPACE MISSIONS
This page lists space missions to asteroids and comets and also those where these objects were observed but not necessarily as the prime objective of the mission.
1.0 Announcements
ESA Cosmic Vision 2015 – 2025
On 18 October 2007 candidate missions were selected for further assessment and consideration for launch in 2017/2018. Included is:
Marco Polo – a near-Earth object sample return mission
A sample-return mission to a near-Earth object (NEO), Marco Polo would characterise a NEO at multiple scales and return a sample. If approved, the mission would study the origins and evolution of the Solar System, the role of minor bodies in the process, origins and evolution of Earth and of life itself. It would consist of a mother satellite which would carry a lander, sampling devices, reentry capsule as well as instruments. If approved, the mission would be implemented in collaboration with JAXA.
More details can be found on the ESA website at
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=41438
2.0 Asteroids and Comets
|
Name |
Launch Date |
Objectives/Targets |
Organisation |
Mission Phase |
|
|
An NEO deflection test mission |
ESA |
Study
|
|
|
2015 |
Sample return mission to asteroid 101955, (1999 RQ36) |
NASA |
Concept Study |
|
|
2010 |
To discover Near Earth Asteroids and track high-altitude satellites |
Development |
||
|
2011 |
Census of one thousand million stars in our Galaxy, should identify tens of thousands of asteroids |
ESA |
Development |
|
|
14 December 2009 |
WISE will study: asteroids, the coolest and dimmest stars, and the most luminous galaxies. |
NASA |
Operational |
|
|
27 Sep 2007 |
Ceres and Vesta |
NASA |
Operational |
|
|
9 May 2003 |
Sample return mission to 1998 SF36 (Itokawa). Scheduled to return to Earth in Jun 2010. |
ISAS |
Operational |
|
|
2 Mar 2004 |
Comet 67/P Churyumov-Gerasimenko which it will reach in 2014. Passed by (2867) Steins in 2008 and will fly by (21) Lutetia in 2010 |
ESA |
Operational |
|
|
19 Jan 2006 |
Pluto and Charon, Kuiper Belt |
NASA |
Operational |
|
|
3 Aug 2004 |
Primary target is the planet Mercury but a search for Vulcanoid asteroids will also be conducted |
NASA |
Operational |
|
|
(Retargeting of Deep Impact Spacecraft) |
– |
Comet Hartley 2 which it is scheduled to reach on 4 Nov 2010 |
NASA |
Operational |
|
Jan 1978 |
Making ultraviolet observations, Halley’s Comet during its 1986 visit, Jupiter’s atmosphere after the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy in 1994. |
ESA, NASA, PPARC |
Mission completed 1996 |
|
|
2 Jul 1985 |
Comets Halley and Grigg–Skjellerup |
ESA |
Mission completed 1992 |
|
|
8 Aug 1989 |
To measure the positions, distances, motions, brightness and colours of stars |
ESA |
Mission completed Aug 1993 |
|
|
17 Feb 1996 |
Eros |
NASA |
Mission completed 28 Feb 2001 |
|
|
24 Oct 1998 |
Technology test vehicle, Comet Borrelly |
NASA |
Mission completed 18 Dec 2001 |
|
|
7 Feb 1999 |
Collect dust samples from Comet Wild 2 |
NASA |
Mission completed 15 Jan 2006 |
|
|
12 Jan 2005 |
Comet Tempel 1 |
NASA |
Mission completed August 2005 |
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