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Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return

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Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR)
Mission typeSample return
OperatorJAXA
Mission duration12 years (planned)[1]
Spacecraft properties
BusDSOTV[2]
Launch mass~2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
Landing mass~130 kg (290 lb)
Dry mass
  • DSOTV: <1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
  • Lander: <120 kg (260 lb)
Payload mass265 kg (584 lb)
Dimensions
  • DSOTV: 1.8 × 2.4 × 2.6 m (5.9 × 7.9 × 8.5 ft)
  • Lander: 0.8 × 0.8 × 0.8 m (2.6 × 2.6 × 2.6 ft)
Power
  • DSOTV: 800 W
  • Lander: 220 W
Start of mission
Launch dateJanuary 2034 (planned)[1]
RocketH3-22S[2]
Launch siteTanegashima Space Center
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing dateDecember 2046 (planned)[1]
Flyby of Earth
Closest approachNovember 2035[2]
Rendezvous with 289P/Blanpain
Arrival dateJanuary 2040[2]
Departure dateFebruary 2042[1]
Transponders
BandwidthX band: 64 kbit/s[2]

Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR) is a proposed space mission concept by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aimed at returning samples from a small Solar System body such as an asteroid or comet.[3] Its main target is the comet 289P/Blanpain, a short-period comet with an orbital period of 5.2 years.[4]

The mission is intended to build upon Japan's previous sample-return missions, including Hayabusa and Hayabusa2, which successfully returned material from near-Earth asteroids.[5]

Objectives

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The primary goal of NGSR is to collect and return pristine material from a small celestial body to Earth for detailed scientific analysis.[6] Such samples could provide insights into the early Solar System, the formation of planets, and the origins of organic compounds.[2]

Additional objectives may include in situ analysis, surface mapping, and testing new technologies for deep-space exploration.[7]

Background

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Japan has been a leader in asteroid sample-return missions. The Hayabusa mission returned samples from asteroid 25143 Itokawa in 2010, while Hayabusa2 delivered material from 162173 Ryugu in 2020.[4]

NGSR is expected to incorporate advanced technologies developed from these missions, potentially enabling more complex sampling operations and access to different types of targets.[8]

Backup targets

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Five additional launch windows were identified for the mission towards 289P between 2033 and 2039.[2] Aside from 289P/Blanpain, several asteroids and comets were considered as backup targets in case the 2034 launch window were missed.[2] These objects include comets 15P/Finlay and 252P/LINEAR, as well as the following asteroids; 2003 XM, (451124) 2009 KC3, and 2016 LX48.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 N. Sakatani; H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; et al. (16–20 March 2026). Next-Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR): A Concept Study for a Future Japanese Mission to a Comet (PDF). 57th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Vol. 3160. The Woodlands, Texas. p. 1727. Bibcode:2026LPICo3160.1727S.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 T. Saiki; Y. Tsuda; O. Mori; et al. (2025). "Mission concept of Japanese comet sample return exploration in the 2030s". Acta Astronautica. 235: 120–128. Bibcode:2025AcAau.235..120S. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.05.048.
  3. ↑ N. Sakatani; H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; et al. (10–14 March 2025). Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR): A Concept Study for a Future Japanese Mission to a Comet (PDF). 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Vol. 3090. The Woodlands, Texas. p. 2280. Bibcode:2025LPICo3090.2280S.
  4. 1 2 A. Tomaswick (7 April 2026). "JAXA Plans To Bring Back Pristine Early Solar System Samples From A Comet". Universe Today. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  5. ↑ O. Burlaka (13 April 2026). "JAXA Plans to Bring a Sample of Comet Material Back to Earth". Universe Space Tech. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  6. ↑ S. Wakita; H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; et al. (18–23 June 2023). The Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return: A Japanese Mission Plan to a Comet (PDF). Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conference. Vol. 2851. Flagstaff, Arizona. p. 2029. Bibcode:2023LPICo2851.2029W.
  7. ↑ M. Williams (11 April 2025). "Japan's Next Sample-Return Mission Could be to a Comet". Universe Today. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  8. ↑ H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; N. Sakatani; et al. (November 2023). Next Generation small body Sample Return mission: a concept study for a future Japanese mission to a comet (PDF). HAYABUSA2023 Symposium.
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