Precise landing of space probe on asteroid using multiple markers

Abstract

We propose a novel strategy for precise landing of a space probe on an asteroid surface. In Hayabusa mission, a Japanese asteroid sample-return spacecraft launched in 2003, a small marker was dropped onto the ground and utilized as a landmark for landing. In this paper, we propose two scenarios to drop multiple markers one by one, with a view to more precise landing. Preliminary Monte Carlo simulation of guidance using multiple markers with assumption of some control errors are presented. It was indicated that more than one markers allow us to increase the landing accuracy compared to the conventional method using a single marker.