Spacecraft exploration of asteroids

Abstract

The past, current, and planned space missions for asteroid exploration are reviewed. The main results based on observations performed with satellites in near-Earth orbits ( OAO-2, IUE, FIRSSE, IRAS, HST, Hipparcos, ISO, MSX ) and space probes sent to particular objects ( Galileo, NEAR, DS1, Stardust ) are reported. Future space missions ( MUSES-C, Rosetta, DOWN , etc.) and their main goals in asteroid study are considered. The feasibility of using spacecraft for minor-body exploration is discussed.