Spitzer Space Telescope - Directors Discretionary Time Proposal #481


Thermal observations of spacecraft target 1999 JU3

Principal Investigator: Humberto Campins
           Institution: University of Central Florida

     Technical Contact: Humberto Campins, University of Central Florida

Co-Investigators:
Joshua Emery, SETI/NASA AMES
Yanga Fernandez, UCF
Michael Kelley, UCF
Javier  Licandro, IAC-Spain
Antonella Barucci, Paris Obs.-France
Elizabetta Dotto, INAF-Oss. Astro. di Roma-Italy

Science Category: asteroids
Observing Modes: IrsMap
Hours Approved: 1.4

Abstract:
We propose a 1.4 hr program to observe, with IRS, the near-Earth asteroid 161273
(1999 JU3), the primary target of two proposed spacecraft missions: the European
Space Agency (ESA) MARCO POLO sample return mission and the Japanese Aerospace
Exploration Agency (JAXA) Hyabusa-2 mission. These observations will provide
characterization of the composition and thermophysical properties of this
distinctive asteroid.