Size, albedo, and taxonomic type of potential spacecraft target Asteroid (10302) 1989 ML

Abstract

The Amor-type near-Earth Asteroid (10302) 1989 ML has an “Earth-like” orbit (period 1.44 yr, eccentricity 0.14, inclination 4.4°), therefore the energy required to reach it from the Earth is relatively small making it a very attractive target for rendezvous missions. We have observed 1989 ML in the thermal–infrared using the Spitzer Space Telescope, and compared these data with optical and near-infrared observations. The Spitzer results imply a diameter of 0.28 ± 0.05 km and a geometric albedo of 0.37 ± 0.15 ; together with the reflectance spectrum they are consistent with the relatively rare E classification.