Overcoming the Challenges Associated with Image鈥怋ased Mapping of Small Bodies in Preparation for the OSIRIS鈥怰Ex Mission to (101955) Bennu
Earth and Space Science American Geophysical Union (AGU) 5:12 (2018) 929-949
Authors:
DN DellaGiustina, CA Bennett, K Becker, DR Golish, L Le Corre, DA Cook, KL Edmundson, M Chojnacki, SS Sutton, MP Milazzo, B Carcich, MC Nolan, N Habib, KN Burke, T Becker, PH Smith, KJ Walsh, K Getzandanner, DR Wibben, JM Leonard, MM Westermann, AT Polit, JN Kidd, CW Hergenrother, WV Boynton, J Backer, S Sides, J Mapel, K Berry, H Roper, C Drouet d'Aubigny, B Rizk, MK Crombie, EK Kinney鈥怱pano, J de Le贸n, JL Rizos, J Licandro, HC Campins, BE Clark, HL Enos, DS Lauretta
Abstract:
AbstractThe OSIRIS鈥怰Ex Asteroid Sample Return Mission is the third mission in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s New Frontiers Program and is the first U.S. mission to return samples from an asteroid to Earth. The most important decision ahead of the OSIRIS鈥怰Ex team is the selection of a prime sample鈥恠ite on the surface of asteroid (101955) Bennu. Mission success hinges on identifying a site that is safe and has regolith that can readily be ingested by the spacecraft's sampling mechanism. To inform this mission鈥恈ritical decision, the surface of Bennu is mapped using the OSIRIS鈥怰Ex Camera Suite and the images are used to develop several foundational data products. Acquiring the necessary inputs to these data products requires observational strategies that are defined specifically to overcome the challenges associated with mapping a small irregular body. We present these strategies in the context of assessing candidate sample sites at Bennu according to a framework of decisions regarding the relative safety, sampleability, and scientific value across the asteroid's surface. To create data products that aid these assessments, we describe the best practices developed by the OSIRIS鈥怰Ex team for image鈥恇ased mapping of irregular small bodies. We emphasize the importance of using 3鈥怐 shape models and the ability to work in body鈥恌ixed rectangular coordinates when dealing with planetary surfaces that cannot be uniquely addressed by body鈥恌ixed latitude and longitude.
