Dynamic science on the Stardust mission
Abstract
Radio Doppler and ranging data at X band (~8.4 GHz), optical navigation data, and spacecraft attitude control data can be used to characterize the dust environment surrounding comet 81P/Wild 2 and possibly the mass and bulk density of its nucleus. As a secondary objective, a favorable solar conjunction prior to the cometary encounter on 2 January 2004 can be used to sound the Sun's corona at X band.
- Publication:
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Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets)
- Pub Date:
- October 2003
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2003JGRE..108.8117A
- Keywords:
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- Interplanetary Physics: Interplanetary dust;
- Interplanetary Physics: Instruments and techniques;
- Interplanetary Physics: General or miscellaneous