Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return

Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR)
Mission typeSample return
OperatorJAXA
Mission duration12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
BusDSOTV
Launch mass~2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
Landing mass~130 kg (290 lb)
Dry mass
  • DSOTV: <1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
  • Lander: <120 kg (260 lb)
Payload mass265 kg (584 lb)
Dimensions
  • DSOTV: 1.8 × 2.4 × 2.6 m (5.9 × 7.9 × 8.5 ft)
  • Lander: 0.8 × 0.8 × 0.8 m (2.6 × 2.6 × 2.6 ft)
Power
  • DSOTV: 800 W
  • Lander: 220 W
Start of mission
Launch dateJanuary 2034 (planned)
RocketH3-22S
Launch siteTanegashima Space Center
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing dateDecember 2046 (planned)
Flyby of Earth
Closest approachNovember 2035
Rendezvous with 289P/Blanpain
Arrival dateJanuary 2040
Departure dateFebruary 2042
Transponders
BandwidthX band: 64 kbit/s

Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR) 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. Its main target is the comet 289P/Blanpain, a short-period comet with an orbital period of 5.2 years.

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.

Objectives

The primary goal of NGSR is to collect and return pristine material from a small celestial body to Earth for detailed scientific analysis. Such samples could provide insights into the early Solar System, the formation of planets, and the origins of organic compounds.

Additional objectives may include in situ analysis, surface mapping, and testing new technologies for deep-space exploration.

Background

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.

NGSR is expected to incorporate advanced technologies developed from these missions, potentially enabling more complex sampling operations and access to different types of targets.

Backup targets

Five additional launch windows were identified for the mission towards 289P between 2033 and 2039. Aside from 289P/Blanpain, several asteroids and comets were considered as backup targets in case the 2034 launch window were missed. These objects include comets 15P/Finlay and 252P/LINEAR, as well as the following asteroids; 2003 XM, (451124) 2009 KC3, and 2016 LX48.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 N. Sakatani; H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; et al. (16–20 March 2026). Next-Generation Small-Body Sample Return (NGSR): A Concept Study for a Future Japanese Mission to a Comet (PDF). 57th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Vol. 3160. The Woodlands, Texas. p. 1727. Bibcode:2026LPICo3160.1727S.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 T. Saiki; Y. Tsuda; O. Mori; et al. (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.
  3. ↑ N. Sakatani; H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; et al. (10–14 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. Vol. 3090. The Woodlands, Texas. p. 2280. Bibcode:2025LPICo3090.2280S.
  4. 1 2 A. Tomaswick (7 April 2026). "JAXA Plans To Bring Back Pristine Early Solar System Samples From A Comet". Universe Today. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  5. ↑ O. Burlaka (13 April 2026). "JAXA Plans to Bring a Sample of Comet Material Back to Earth". Universe Space Tech. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  6. ↑ S. Wakita; H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; et al. (18–23 June 2023). The Next Generation Small-Body Sample Return: A Japanese Mission Plan to a Comet (PDF). Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conference. Vol. 2851. Flagstaff, Arizona. p. 2029. Bibcode:2023LPICo2851.2029W.
  7. ↑ M. Williams (11 April 2025). "Japan's Next Sample-Return Mission Could be to a Comet". Universe Today. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  8. ↑ H. Kurokawa; Y. Shimaki; N. Sakatani; 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.