Author/Authors :
McClanahan، نويسنده , , T.P. and Trombka، نويسنده , , J.I. and Floyd، نويسنده , , S.R. and Boynton، نويسنده , , W.V. and Mikheeva، نويسنده , , I. W. Bailey، نويسنده , , H. and Liewicki، نويسنده , , C. and Bhangoo، نويسنده , , J. and Starr، نويسنده , , R. and Clark، نويسنده , , P.E. and Evans، نويسنده , , L.G. and Squyres، نويسنده , , S. and McNutt، نويسنده , , R. and Brückner، نويسنده , , J.، نويسنده ,
Abstract :
The NEAR Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft will encounter the 433Eros asteroid for a one year orbital mission in December 1998. Its on-board remote sensing instrumentation includes X-ray and gamma-ray (XGRS) spectrometers. NEAR is an orbital mission and long integrations over spatially specific asteroid regions are generally not possible. A methodology for simulating longer integrations has been developed for XGRS and uses unique management, correlative and analytical ground systems to render mapping data products. Evaluation of the spatial environment is accomplished through virtual renderings of the asteroid surface giving incidence, emission and surface roughness factors. Extended computer plate modeling information is employed to optimize ground computer systems processing time. Interactive visualization systems have been developed to manage close to a million spectra that will be collected during the encounter. Feedback systems are employed to inspect, tag and calibrate spectral data products. Mission planning, systems development and managerial responsibilities have been distributed to cooperating science organizations at The Goddard Space Flight Center, The University of Arizona, Cornell University, The Applied Physics Laboratory and The Max Plank Institute.
