Deep Space Exploration Technology Demonstrator DESTINY⁺

Abstract

DESTINY⁺ is a small-class science program led by ISAS of JAXA and is under development for launch in FY2024−2026 with both engineering and science goals. The engineering goal is to acquire technologies that will enable future high-frequency exploration of the solar system. Ion engine operation technology in planetary orbit and high-speed flyby technology of small bodies will be demonstrated. The scientific goal is to elucidate the characteristics of dust that may have transported organic matter to the primordial earth. In-situ analysis of dust at Earth's orbital position and a flyby observation of the asteroid (3200) Phaethon, the parent body of the Geminid meteor shower, will be conducted. The spacecraft system consists mainly of the proven onboard equipment of the small scientific satellite standard bus and Hayabusa2, and the scope of new development was focused on the minimum necessary to achieve low-cost and short-term development. The science instruments are a dust analyzer for in-situ dust analysis during the entire mission, a telescopic camera and a multiband camera for observing Phaethon's surface. The telescopic camera is equipped with a rotating mirror to track Phaethon during the high-speed flyby with a relative velocity as high as 36 km/s.