Research and development on the sample return capsule for future solar system exploration

Abstract

Significance and value of sample return missions to celestial bodies in the deep space is recognized by HAYABUSA's successful sample return to asteroid ITOKAWA. Some sample return missions following Hayabusa are conducted and planned worldwide, including Hayabusa2, OSIRIS-REx, MMX(Martian Moons Exploration), CAESAR(Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return), OKEANOS(Outsized Kitecraft for Exploration and AstroNautics in the Outer Solar system). Sample return capsule is one of the indispensable technologies to realize these sample return missions. Nowadays, JAXA are progressing a development of future sample return capsules utilizing the Hayabusa's sample return capsule heritage. In this paper, the vision of the research and development of sample return capsules for MMX, CAESAR, OKEANOS is introduced.