NASA studies spacecraft with an asteroid explorer

NASA is working on a copy of the Moon probe Orion capable of carrying astronauts and flying up an asteroid near Earth. Ares I missiles will launch this probe.

Because the gravity of the weaker asteroids, the Orion ships exploring asteroids will not need to carry as much fuel as the mission to the Moon and is fully capable of flying at low altitudes, close to the asteroid surface.

The Moon Orion probe was designed to carry enough supplies for a four-man tour group over a two-week period. The asteroid probe will be able to carry 2, even 3 astronauts, thus increasing the supply volume.

According to NASA documents, the mission to explore asteroids will be done in a short time, so it will not affect the health of astronauts. The only risk is when the Sun is in a period of strong activity creating eruptions toward astronauts. To avoid the flow of solar particles, NASA confirmed that liquid storage tanks could serve as a shield to protect the tour group.

The mission to explore asteroids is also considered a joint rehearsal before landing on Mars.

1998 KY 26 asteroid will be the first potential target. This asteroid takes the form of a slightly long sphere pebble with a diameter of about 30m. It will glide over Earth in 2013, 2024 and can be accessed within 3 months.

Model of the Moon Orion probe (Photo: Techno-science.net)

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