British scientist involved in Hayabusa2 mission to Ryugu asteroid



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A scientist from the University of Stirling is preparing to badyze – and attempt to recreate – the conditions for a primitive asteroid as part of a major international space mission led by the Japanese. Axel Hagermann, Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences, will spend the next months evaluating data from the Hayabusa2 mission – which aims to learn more about the origins and evolution of the solar system – after its appointment. you with Ryugu on June 27th. [19659002] Discovered in May 1999, Ryugu is a primitive asteroid of type C – which means that its composition contains water and organic compounds – and is part of the group of Apollo asteroids, considered potentially dangerous because of its proximity to the Earth.

Hayabusa2 is the first mission to an asteroid of this nature and only the second to return a sample from an asteroid, and experts believe that it will provide important insight into the conditions in the solar system early.

Hagermann – the only UK-based scientist on the mission – is a co-investigator on the thermal infrared imager, which will study the thermal and thermal inertia of the asteroid. It will also help to badyze the data of a radiometer on the LG built in Germany, the Surface Mobile Asteroid (MASCOT), and will use this information to recreate the exact conditions of the surface of the aircraft. Asteroid in the Planetary Ice Laboratory at Stirling. Hagermann, a geophysicist who is interested in ice and its physical properties, explains: "As thermal measurements on an asteroid are very delicate, this approach makes it possible to ensure that thermal measurements can be interpreted as much as possible. precisely possible

The surface of the asteroid is important because it allows us to constrain the physical properties of the surface, to confirm the erosion – such as the thermal cracking of rocks – and even to explore the least changes in the orbit of an asteroid by the way it diffuses heat into space.

The successor to Hayabusa, who returned to Earth in 2010, Hayabusa2 is piloted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Center for Space Studies in France. . A 600 kg spacecraft is equipped with ion engines as well as advanced navigation and guidance technology, antennas and attitude control systems.

Quote Ryugu for about 18 months, observing the asteroid about 20 km, before releasing the LG on its surface. In addition to the radiometer, MASCOT also carries an infrared spectrometer, a magnetometer and a camera, as well as an explosive device, to create an artificial crater for easy sampling.

The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth by the end of 2020, allowing the team to clarify the interactions between minerals, water, and organic matter in the early solar system.

"In doing this, we will learn about the origin and evolution of the Earth, the oceans and life, and develop technologies for exploring the return to space. far away, "added Dr. Hagermann

.Hagermann, who recently joined Stirling from the Open University, is currently working on NASA's InSight mission and will be involved in the evaluation of probe data. Heat Flow and Physical Properties, better known as HP3 This work aims to reconstruct the story behind the origins and evolution of Mars by measuring the heat that currently escapes to the surface of Mars

Stirling's involvement in Hayabusa2 is funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.HP3 and MASCOT are led by the Berlin Planetary Research Institute (DLR).

Related Links

Stirling University in the United Kingdom

Asteroid and Comet Mission News, Science and Technology



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