Ground-based support for landing and/or sample return missions to small bodies Original Research Article

The information needed on a space mission target during the design phase of the mission depends on the objectives and the mission scenario. The requirements for a sample acquisition during a fly-by are quite different from those of a rendezvous or a landing on the body. The current knowledge of the targets of four space missions (STARDUST, MUSUS-C, ROSETTA, DS-4) is summarized and discussed in view to what is needed to optimize the design and execution of each mission.