Proposed Japanese sample-return space mission
Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return |
| Mission type | Sample return |
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| Operator | JAXA |
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| Launch date | 2034 (planned) |
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Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSBR) is a proposed space mission concept by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aimed at returning samples from a small Solar System body such as an asteroid or comet.[1] Its main target is the comet 289P/Blanpain, a short-period comet with an orbital period of 5.2 years.[2]
The mission is intended to build upon Japan's previous sample-return missions, including Hayabusa and Hayabusa2, which successfully returned material from near-Earth asteroids.[3]
The primary goal of NGSBR is to collect and return pristine material from a small celestial body to Earth for detailed scientific analysis.[4] Such samples could provide insights into the early Solar System, the formation of planets, and the origins of organic compounds.[5]
Additional objectives may include in situ analysis, surface mapping, and testing new technologies for deep-space exploration.[6]
Japan has been a leader in asteroid sample-return missions. The Hayabusa mission returned samples from asteroid 25143 Itokawa in 2010, while Hayabusa2 delivered material from 162173 Ryugu in 2020.[7]
NGSBR is expected to incorporate advanced technologies developed from these missions, potentially enabling more complex sampling operations and access to different types of targets.[8]
- ^ Sakatani, N; Kurokawa, H; Shimaki, Y; et al. (March 2025). Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR): A Concept Study for a Future Japanese Mission to a Comet (PDF). 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
- ^ Tomaswick, Andy (7 April 2026). "JAXA Plans To Bring Back Pristine Early Solar System Samples From A Comet". Universe Today.
- ^ Грибанова, Валерія (13 April 2026). "JAXA Plans to Bring a Sample of Comet Material Back to Earth". Universe Space Tech.
- ^ Wakita, S.; Kurokawa, H.; Shimaki, Y.; Sakatani, N.; Fukai, R.; Kebukawa, Y.; Aoki, J.; Tatsumi, E.; Ushikubo, T.; Kumamoto, A.; Miyamoto, H.; Kawamura, T.; Tanaka, S.; Tsuji, T.; Urakawa, S.; Ohsawa, R.; Tsuda, Y.; Mori, O.; Maru, Y.; Saiki, T.; Wg, Ngsr (August 2023). The Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return: A Japanese Mission Plan to a Comet. Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conference. Vol. 2851. p. 2029. Bibcode:2023LPICo2851.2029W.
- ^ Saiki, Takanao; Tsuda, Yuichi; Mori, Osamu; Aiko, Yasuhiko; Mastumoto, Jun; Kikuchi, Shota; Takao, Yuki; Kurokawa, Hiroyuki; Shimaki, Yuri; Sakatani, Naoya; Fukai, Ryota; Okada, Tatsuaki (2025). "Mission concept of Japanese comet sample return exploration in the 2030s". Acta Astronautica. 235: 120–128. Bibcode:2025AcAau.235..120S. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.05.048.
- ^ Williams, Matthew (11 April 2025). "Japan's Next Sample-Return Mission Could be to a Comet". Universe Today.
- ^ Tomaswick, Andy (12 April 2026). "JAXA plans to bring back pristine early solar system samples from a comet". Phys.org (Press release). Universe Today.
- ^ Kurokawa, Hiroyuki; Shimaki, Yuri; Sakatani, Naoya; et al. (November 2023). Next Generation small body Sample Return mission: a concept study for a future Japanese mission to a comet (PDF). HAYABUSA2023 Symposium.
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- Probes are listed in chronological order of launch. † indicates mission failures.
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- Italics indicates projects in development.
- Symbol † indicates failed projects.
- Strikethrough lines indicate cancelled projects.
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