| Astrophysics (Index) | About |
CAESAR (Comet Astrobiology Exploration Same Return) is a mission plan to carry samples of a comet back to Earth. The project was one of two chosen in 2017 for further study as a possibility for the fourth NASA' New Frontiers mission, NF4, but in 2019, another candidate was chosen. As NF4, the plan was to launch in 2024, reach the comet in 2029, carry out observation and collection until 2032 and return to Earth in 2038. It would use an ion engine powered by solar power.
The plan's target comet is 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P). By design, the plan focuses on the return transport rather than data gathering at the comet, the rationality being the investigation of samples using earthbound equipment has the potential to learn much more about the material. The plan's design borrows ideas from OSIRIS-REx but also aims to return with samples of comet volatiles, requiring "air-tight" containment back to Earth. Its Sample Acquisition System (SAS) consists of a robotic arm with gear to scratch the surface (with ripper tines), gather material with gas jets into a container and inspect the container with a camera aimed into the container (CANCAM).