CAESAR (probe)
CAESAR (short for Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return ) is a return sample mission to the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko , which as the fourth mission of the New Frontiers Program of NASA has been proposed.
mission
The idea is a space probe that will be launched to Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2024 or 2025 to bring samples back to Earth. The comet was selected because it had already been intensively researched by ESA's Rosetta mission and the probe can thus be adapted to the conditions of the comet, which increases the chance of success. CAESAR would not land on it, but simply collect the samples with a robotic arm that only briefly comes into contact with the surface, similar to OSIRIS-REx . No single sample may be larger than 4.5 cm. On the way back to earth, volatile and solid substances are separated. In 2038 the return capsule would enter the earth's atmosphere.
selection
CAESAR was proposed along with twelve other drafts for the fourth mission of the New Frontiers program, including a mission to Enceladus , a lander to Venus, and an atmospheric probe to Saturn . CAESAR and Dragonfly , a probe to Saturn's moon Titan that lands in various locations on Titan, were selected as finalists and both received $ 4 million to refine their concepts. In June 2019 the decision was made for Dragonfly.
drive
If CAESAR is implemented, it will fly with a powerful ion drive , similar to the Japanese Hayabusa 2 probe .
swell
- CAESAR on NASA's website
- New goals for NASA. To "Tschuri" or to Titan? FAZ.net of December 21, 2017