Trent Jansen-Sturgeon, Curtin University; Ben Hartig, Curtin University; Phil Bland, Curtin University; Greg Madsen, Lockheed Martin Space; Matthew Bold, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center; Robert Howie, Curtin University; James Mason, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center; Rod Drury, Lockheed Martin Space; Dane McCormack, Lockheed Martin Space
Keywords:
Abstract:
OSIRIS-REx is a NASA sample-return mission to asteroid Bennu. On 22nd September 2017 it performed an Earth gravity-assist (EGA) manoeuvre with favourable viewing opportunities from Australia. The closest approach occurred over Antarctica and it passed over Australia with an altitude of 42,000 73,000km. The FireOPAL team built an Australia-wide observation campaign around the EGA. Observers flew to 11 sites around Australia, and one in New Zealand, to take observations. The distribution of sites was chosen to maximise opportunities for triangulation. Approximately 2,000 images of the spacecraft were acquired from each site as it transited over Australia & New Zealand. This dataset, for a single object on a single pass, is unprecedented. It enables us to perform a detailed evaluation of position / range errors for triangulated observations. In addition, lightcurve information from multiple viewing angles for a target of known size and composition allows us to evaluate the degree to which target geometry can be reconstructed from lightcurves.
Date of Conference: September 11-14, 2018
Track: Poster