CU Boulder And Lockheed Martin To Send 2 Suitcase-Sized Satellites To Study Binary Asteroids
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) -- The University of Colorado Boulder and Lockheed Martin just got approval from NASA to lead a new space mission to capture the first-ever closeup look at a mysterious class of solar system objects: binary asteroids. Binary asteroids are pairs of asteroids that orbit around each other in space.
CU Boulder and Lockheed Martin plan to launch two small spacecraft in 2022 -- each one about the size of a carry-on suitcase. The spacecraft, which weigh about 80 pounds each, will travel farther than any small satellite to date.
The mission may help to usher in a new era of space exploration, according to Lockheed Martin's Janus Project Manager Josh Wood.
"Their observations could open up a new window into how these diverse bodies evolve and even burst apart over time," said Daniel Scheeres, the principle investigator for Janus.
Lockheed Martin will manage, build and operate the spacecraft. CU Boulder will do the scientific analysis of images and data for the mission.
"The Colorado-centric development for this mission, combining the space talent of both CU Boulder and Lockheed Martin, is a testament to the skills available in the state," said Lockheed Martin's Janus Project Manager Josh Wood.