1999 AO10

1999 AO10 is an Aten near-Earth object.[1] It is orbiting with a semi-major axis of 0.9112417 AU with an eccentricity of 0.1122073 and a period of 0.87 years. The initial orbital elements were determined based on 16 observations made between January 13–15, 1999.[2]

Manned mission

NASA has proposed a manned mission to the object during 2025 or later. 1999 AO10 is one of a handful of objects within the acceptable range for the mission and is also one of the largest objects that meets the qualifications. In this proposal, a pair of docked Orion spacecraft would spend 14 days at the object, for a total mission time of 155 days. The astronauts would return samples and help test spacefaring capabilities for a future Mars mission. The manned mission would be preceded by an unmanned probe to be sent in 2019 at the earliest.[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/Atens.html
  2. ↑ Tichy, M.; Sicoli, P.; Testa, A.; Blythe, M.; Shelly, F.; Bezpalko, M.; et al. (January 1999). "1999 AO10". Minor Planet Electronic Circular (1999-B04). Bibcode:1999MPEC....B...04T.
  3. ↑ http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/01/nasas-flexible-path-2025-human-mission-visit-asteroid/

External links


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