Sector: Planetary Exploration/Planetary Defense

Number of satellites: 1

Form factor: 12U

The ANIME (Asteroid Nodal Intersection Multiple Encounters) mission will explore, from a heliocentric deep-space orbit, three “near-Earth asteroids” selected as particularly interesting from both scientific and planetary-defense perspectives. The main target is 2000 SG344, which, with a diameter of only 40 meters, will provide unprecedented information on the accretion processes that took place in the early Solar System. This asteroid also presents multiple potential impact solutions with our planet over the next century and has been considered as a target for future human exploration. Before the rendezvous with 2000 SG344, ANIME's interplanetary trajectory will be optimized to also perform fly-bys of two “potentially hazardous asteroids” with peculiar physical properties. All targets will be encountered during their passage through the orbital nodes, thus minimizing the mission's energy budget. Most of ANIME's components have already flown successfully (TRL 9) on several missions in Earth's orbital environment, and the satellite configuration design will include adequate radiation shielding of the most critical components. Overall, ANIME will enable the development of essential technologies for deep-space exploration through miniaturized satellites.

Development team: INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma (Prime); INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova; INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste; Politecnico di Milano; CIRI Aerospace – Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna; Politecnico di Torino.

Development status: Phase A (feasibility study) closed.