Multi-band imaging camera and its sciences for the Japanese near-earth asteroid mission MUSES-C

In this paper we present current development status of our Asteroid Multi-b and Imaging CAmera (AMICA) for the Japan-US joint asteroid sample return mi ssion MUSES-C. The launch of the spacecraft is planned around the end of 20 02 and the whole mission period till sample retrieval on Earth will be appr oximately five years. The nominal target is the asteroid 1998SF36, one of t he Amor-type asteroids. The AMICA specifications for the mission are shown here along with its ground-based and inflight calibration methods. We also describe the observational scenario at the asteroid, in relation to scienti fic goals.