European Space Agency (ЕКА) chose the new Ariane heavy rocket 6 to launch the ambitious M-Argo mission (Miniaturized Asteroid Remote Geophysical Observer) – the first ever fully autonomous CubeSat nanosatellite for deep space exploration.
The contract for the launch was signed by ESA Space Transport Director Toni Tolker-Nielsen and Arianespace Executive Director Stephan Israel. The mission will launch as a companion payload during one of Ariane's regular commercial flights 6, planned for the end 2026 or the beginning 2027 year.
Main technical details of the M-Argo mission
Device format: The satellite was created in the 12U CubeSat format (its dimensions are approx 20 x 20 x 30 cm, and the weight – only 30 Kg).
Unique engine: The device is equipped with an extremely miniature electric (ionic) power plant, which runs on xenon. It will provide traction, necessary for long-term travel in deep space.
The purpose of the flight: The satellite will independently leave the Earth's orbit and head towards one of the Earth's asteroids. A specific target will be chosen closer to the launch date from a catalog of potential candidates.
Наукове завдання: M-Argo підлетить до астероїда, will go into orbit around it and conduct a comprehensive scan of its surface and composition with the help of a multispectral camera and a laser altimeter. Це дозволить оцінити потенціал астероїда для майбутнього видобутку космічних ресурсів.
Until now, all missions to asteroids or other planets required huge and expensive spacecraft costing hundreds of millions of euros. M-Argo's mission is to prove, що за допомогою сучасної мініатюризації електроніки та ракет типу Ariane 6 Європа здатна проводити міжпланетні дослідження за мінімальний бюджет. Ракета Ariane 6 will put the cubesat into a high elliptical or geotransition orbit, from where it will begin its autonomous three-year flight.
Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com