Granular processes on Itokawa, a small near-Earth asteroid: implications for resource utilization

Hideaki Miyamoto; Jeffrey S. Kargel; Wolfgang Fink; Roberto Furfaro

doi:10.1117/12.784634

15 April 2008 Granular processes on Itokawa, a small near-Earth asteroid: implications for resource utilization

Hideaki Miyamoto, Jeffrey S. Kargel, Wolfgang Fink, Roberto Furfaro

Proceedings Volume 6960, Space Exploration Technologies; 69600I (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.784634
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Crucial questions for possible utilization of Near Earth Asteroids include how to break asteroid materials down to particle sizes that can be processed. This remained difficult to answer because of the limited number and resolutions of images previous obtained through asteroid missions. Recently, the Hayabusa spacecraft obtained unprecedentedly high-resolution images of a ~300m-sized asteroid, Itokawa, which gives unique opportunity to discuss the nature of surface materials on a small asteroid. Hayabusa reveals that the asteroid is covered by fine- and coarse-grained materials, including granules, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders up to tens of meters. Gravels on this small asteroid appear to be loosely deposited along the gravitational equipotential surfaces. The existence of smooth areas as well as boulder-rich rough areas indicate that gravels should have experienced migrations and segregations. Thus, the issue regarding the breaking of asteroid materials appears to have been resolved naturally, at least for this asteroid, which has important implications for future robotic missions dedicated to resource exploration and utilization.

Citation Download Citation

Hideaki Miyamoto, Jeffrey S. Kargel, Wolfgang Fink, and Roberto Furfaro "Granular processes on Itokawa, a small near-Earth asteroid: implications for resource utilization", Proc. SPIE 6960, Space Exploration Technologies, 69600I (15 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.784634

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available