Table 1 An asteroid target “wish-list” for future missions, and the unknowns they could address
From: Asteroid sample return missions are critical for understanding our Solar System
Asteroid target | Unknowns that could be addressed |
|---|---|
E-type asteroid | What is the composition of the material the terrestrial planets formed from? |
Large, potentially partially differentiated asteroid (e.g., 2 Pallas) | What is the process of differentiation, and what stage of planet formation do partially differentiated asteroids represent? |
Ice-bearing C-type asteroid (e.g., 24 Themis) | How do organic compounds behave in an ice-rich asteroidal environment? |
Near-Earth asteroid on the “Risk List”a | What are the most effective and realistic asteroid mitigation strategies? |
