European Planetary Science Conference 2014
Cascais, Portugal
07-12 September 2014

Session SB11/MTI9 at EPSC 2014
Abstracts are due 06 May 2014.

This session will focus on the changing emphasis of scientific investigation of small bodies, which will develop with the movement towards mining in space and the consequent increase in flight opportunities and opportunities for piggyback rides for instruments that might otherwise be regarded as too experimental. Mining planning introduces a requirement for information on structure and strength at large and small scales. The other driver in the new paradigm for asteroidal and comet studies, which overlaps with this, is the increasing interest in body models and structure for Planetary Defense. Contributions are sought from the asteroid mining actors and the planetary science community.

Commercial exploration missions could significantly influence how research on asteroids and comets is conducted. New opportunities for collaborations will eventually arise. Becoming the first dedicated event about this topic in a European scientific forum, the session’s intention is to start a discussion and encourage substantial activities in the field in Europe.

Further information & abstract submission:

http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2014/session/16801