NEREUS SAMPLE RETURN MISSION

To determine the origin of asteroids and furthermore the solar system, a sample return mission is now planned. This paper presents a mission scenario and the spacecraft design. Some new technologies which must be developed to achieve the mission under strict weight constraint are also described, for example, sampler which must be adaptable to any c ase of the asteroid surface state, electric propulsion system which is essential to reduce fuel, autonomous navigation of the spacecraft usi ng optical camera, and design of capsule for Earth direct re-entry.