Abstract
The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) launches the engineering test spacecraft, MUSES-C toward a near Earth asteroid NEREUS (4660) in 2002. It is aiming at demonstrating four key technologies requisite for the future sample and return missions from extra terrestrial bodies. They are 1) An electrical propulsion, ion thrusters in interplanetary field as a primary propulsive means, 2) An autonomous guidance and navigation based on optical aid, 3) An automated sampling mechanism and 4) A direct hyperbolic reentry of the recovery capsule to the ground. This paper presents the current design status of MUSES-C focusing its attention on the contents and readiness of above mentioned key technologies.
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