Pre-flyby estimates of the precision of the mass determination of asteroid (21) Lutetia from Rosetta radio tracking
The Rosetta spacecraft will fly by its second target asteroid (21) Lutetia on 10 July 2010. Simulations based on the currently known size of Lutetia and assumptions on the bulk density show that tracking of two radio-carrier frequencies at X-band (8.4 GHz) and S-band (2.3 GHz) during the flyby will...
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Published in | Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) Vol. 518; no. 2; p. L156 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Les Ulis
EDP Sciences
01.07.2010
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The Rosetta spacecraft will fly by its second target asteroid (21) Lutetia on 10 July 2010. Simulations based on the currently known size of Lutetia and assumptions on the bulk density show that tracking of two radio-carrier frequencies at X-band (8.4 GHz) and S-band (2.3 GHz) during the flyby will determine the mass at less than 1% accuracy. Derivation of the asteroid volume by camera observation will drive the uncertainty in derivation of the bulk density. Mass and bulk density provide valuable clues that might help resolve the difficulties in determining the taxonomic class of the asteroid. |
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Bibliography: | publisher-ID:aa14325-10 istex:D7F8E2B54BF49BE8FC678AF3980C4F395821697C other:2010A%26A...518L.156P ark:/67375/80W-FJWL848G-N |
ISSN: | 0004-6361 1432-0746 |
DOI: | 10.1051/0004-6361/201014325 |