System design of the Hayabusa 2—Asteroid sample return mission to 1999 JU3

• Published in: Acta astronautica Vol. 91; pp. 356 - 362
• Main Authors: Tsuda, Yuichi, Yoshikawa, Makoto, Abe, Masanao, Minamino, Hiroyuki, Nakazawa, Satoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Asteroid missions; Asteroids; Japanese spacecraft; Missions; Near Earth asteroids; Origins; Planetary evolution; Proximity; Sample return mission; Sample return missions; Solar system exploration; Spacecraft development; INW, Japan; Spacecraft development; Sample return mission; Near Earth asteroids; Solar system exploration
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.06.028

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is currently developing the second asteroid sample return mission, designated as Hayabusa 2. Following the successful return of Hayabusa from the asteroid “Itokawa”, Hayabusa 2 is designed as a round-trip mission to the asteroid “1999 JU3”. The 1999 JU3 is a C-type asteroid, which is believed to contain organic matter and hydrated minerals. Thus, it is expected that successful sample collection will provide additional knowledge on the origin and evolution of the planets and, in particular, the origin of water and organic matter. The current mission scenario will enable the spacecraft to reach 1999 JU3 in the middle of 2018 and perform an asteroid proximity operation for 1.5 years. Three touch downs for sampling and one 2-m-class crater generation by means of a high-speed impact operation are planned during the asteroid proximity operation. The samples are to be brought back to the Earth by a re-entry capsule. The present paper describes the system design of Hayabusa 2, some key technical challenges of the mission, and the development status. •JAXA is now developing the second asteroid sample return mission “Hayabusa 2.”•Hayabusa 2 aims at a round trip mission to the C-type asteroid 1999 JU3.•Surface soil sampling and kinetic impact are to be performed on the asteroid.•The paper shows the system design, technical challenges and the development status.