Don Quijote (space probe)
Encyclopedia
Don Quijote is a proposed space probe
under development by the European Space Agency
, which would study the effects of crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid
. The mission is intended to test whether a spacecraft could successfully deflect an asteroid
on a collision course with Earth
. The orbiter is being designed to last for seven years.
The mission is still in the planning stages with launch dates proposed for 2013 or 2015.
upper stage. The ESA is currently considering two design scenarios: the "Cheap Option" using a chemical propulsion system and the "Flexible Option" using an electric propulsion system. The former would be targeted to the Amor asteroid
2003 SM84
, the latter to the asteroid 99942 Apophis
.
instrument. For the extended mission objectives, the orbiter carries an IR Spectrometer, a Thermal IR Imager, an X-Ray Spectrometer, a Radiation Monitor and the Autonomous Surface Package (ASP).
thrusters for course corrections, and it has a high resolution targeting camera for ~50 m targeting accuracy on impact. The LISA Pathfinder
design was considered at as an initial design reference.
. Neither asteroid represents a threat to Earth. In a subsequent study, two different possibilities were selected: the Amor asteroid
2003 SM84
and 99942 Apophis
; the latter is of particular significance to Earth as it will make a close approach in 2029 and 2036.
from Miguel de Cervantes
renowned novel, Don Quixote, who charged against a windmill
, thinking it to be a giant. Like the Don, the Hidalgo spacecraft will 'attack' an object much larger than itself, hopefully with more impressive results. 'Sancho' is named after Sancho Panza
, the Don's squire, who preferred to stay back and watch from a safe distance, which is the role assigned to that probe.
Space probe
A robotic spacecraft is a spacecraft with no humans on board, that is usually under telerobotic control. A robotic spacecraft designed to make scientific research measurements is often called a space probe. Many space missions are more suited to telerobotic rather than crewed operation, due to...
under development by the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
, which would study the effects of crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
. The mission is intended to test whether a spacecraft could successfully deflect an asteroid
Asteroid deflection strategies
Asteroid mitigation strategies are "planetary defense" methods by which near-Earth objects could be diverted, preventing potentially catastrophic impact events. A sufficiently large impact would cause massive tsunamis or an impact winter, or both...
on a collision course with Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. The orbiter is being designed to last for seven years.
The mission is still in the planning stages with launch dates proposed for 2013 or 2015.
Overview
The mission will consist of two spacecraft that will execute a series of maneuvers around a small, 500-metre (1,600-foot) asteroid.- The first spacecraft, Sancho, will arrive at the asteroid and orbit it for several months, studying it. The orbiter will use a single xenonXenonXenon is a chemical element with the symbol Xe and atomic number 54. The element name is pronounced or . A colorless, heavy, odorless noble gas, xenon occurs in the Earth's atmosphere in trace amounts...
ion engine. - After a few months, the second spacecraft, Hidalgo, will hurtle toward the asteroid on a collision course. It will sleep for most of the trip and then steer itself using optical sensors with an accuracy of 50 meters. Sancho will retreat to a safe distance while Hidalgo will hit the asteroid at around 10 km/s.
- Sancho will then return to its close orbit and see how much the asteroid's shape, internal structure, orbit and rotation have been affected by the impact.
- Sancho will release the Autonomous Surface Package, a LanderLander (spacecraft)A lander is a spacecraft which descends toward and comes to rest on the surface of an astronomical body. For bodies with atmospheres, the landing is called atmospheric reentry and the lander descends as a re-entry vehicle...
which will free-fall toward the asteroid for 2 hours before landing. This package will be directed towards the interior of the impact crater where it will investigate properties of the surface.
Propulsion
The craft would be launched by a Vega launcher and a Star 48Star 48
The Star 48 is a type of solid rocket motor used by many space propulsion and launch vehicle stages, including the Space Shuttle and the New Horizons probe. It is used almost exclusively as an upper stage...
upper stage. The ESA is currently considering two design scenarios: the "Cheap Option" using a chemical propulsion system and the "Flexible Option" using an electric propulsion system. The former would be targeted to the Amor asteroid
Amor asteroid
The Amor asteroids are a group of near-Earth asteroids named after the asteroid 1221 Amor. They approach the orbit of the Earth from beyond, but do not cross it. Most Amors do cross the orbit of Mars...
2003 SM84
2003 SM84
2003 SM84 is an as yet unnamed and unnumbered near-Earth asteroid discovered in 2003. Its size and physical properties are uncertain. Its designated as an Amor asteroid because it orbits between Earth and Mars....
, the latter to the asteroid 99942 Apophis
99942 Apophis
99942 Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid that caused a brief period of concern in December 2004 because initial observations indicated a small probability that it would strike the Earth in 2029. Additional observations provided improved predictions that eliminated the possibility of an impact on...
.
Sancho (orbiter)
The instruments on the orbiter are classified into those essential to the success of the mission and those for the completion of extended mission objectives. The primary instruments are the Radio Science Experiment, Orbiter Camera, Imaging Laser Altimeter, and a LIDARLIDAR
LIDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance to, or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with light, often using pulses from a laser...
instrument. For the extended mission objectives, the orbiter carries an IR Spectrometer, a Thermal IR Imager, an X-Ray Spectrometer, a Radiation Monitor and the Autonomous Surface Package (ASP).
Hidalgo (impactor)
Unlike many other spacecraft, the goal of the Hidalgo impactor is to be as massive as possible upon reaching the target asteroid; because of this goal, the propulsion module is not jettisoned after use. The impactor carries few subsystems to make it as low-cost and maneuverable as possible. It has no moving appendages (solar panels, etc.) to complicate orientation, it uses only its RCSReaction control system
A reaction control system is a subsystem of a spacecraft whose purpose is attitude control and steering by the use of thrusters. An RCS system is capable of providing small amounts of thrust in any desired direction or combination of directions. An RCS is also capable of providing torque to allow...
thrusters for course corrections, and it has a high resolution targeting camera for ~50 m targeting accuracy on impact. The LISA Pathfinder
LISA Pathfinder
LISA Pathfinder is the revised name for SMART-2, a NASA/ESA space probe to be launched in June 2013. SMART stands for Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology. The aim of the LISA Pathfinder is to test technologies needed for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, a joint NASA/ESA...
design was considered at as an initial design reference.
Target
Originally, the ESA identified two near-Earth asteroids as possible targets: and (10302) 1989 ML(10302) 1989 ML
1989 ML is an as yet unnamed near-Earth asteroid. It is approximately 0.6 km in diameter. An Amor asteroid, it orbits between Earth and Mars. It is an X-type asteroid, so its surface composition is yet unknown. It was discovered by Eleanor F. Helin and Jeff T...
. Neither asteroid represents a threat to Earth. In a subsequent study, two different possibilities were selected: the Amor asteroid
Amor asteroid
The Amor asteroids are a group of near-Earth asteroids named after the asteroid 1221 Amor. They approach the orbit of the Earth from beyond, but do not cross it. Most Amors do cross the orbit of Mars...
2003 SM84
2003 SM84
2003 SM84 is an as yet unnamed and unnumbered near-Earth asteroid discovered in 2003. Its size and physical properties are uncertain. Its designated as an Amor asteroid because it orbits between Earth and Mars....
and 99942 Apophis
99942 Apophis
99942 Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid that caused a brief period of concern in December 2004 because initial observations indicated a small probability that it would strike the Earth in 2029. Additional observations provided improved predictions that eliminated the possibility of an impact on...
; the latter is of particular significance to Earth as it will make a close approach in 2029 and 2036.
Names
The mission is named after the fictional Spanish knightKnight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
from Miguel de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. His magnum opus, Don Quixote, considered the first modern novel, is a classic of Western literature, and is regarded amongst the best works of fiction ever written...
renowned novel, Don Quixote, who charged against a windmill
Windmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
, thinking it to be a giant. Like the Don, the Hidalgo spacecraft will 'attack' an object much larger than itself, hopefully with more impressive results. 'Sancho' is named after Sancho Panza
Sancho Panza
Sancho Panza is a fictional character in the novel Don Quixote written by Spanish author Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in 1605. Sancho acts as squire to Don Quixote, and provides comments throughout the novel, known as sanchismos, that are a combination of broad humour, ironic Spanish proverbs,...
, the Don's squire, who preferred to stay back and watch from a safe distance, which is the role assigned to that probe.