2005/08/01 by C. T. Russel, C. A. Raymond, Thomas C. Fraschetti +4 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Engineering · #Astro and Planetary Science #Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies #Spacecraft Design and Technology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s1743921305006691
openalex publication_date 2005/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Dawn is the first mission to attempt to orbit two distant planetary bodies. The objects chosen, 4 Vesta followed by 1 Ceres, are the two most massive members of the asteroid belt that appear to have been formed on either side of the dew line in the early solar nebula. This paper describes the present status of the mission development and the plans for operation at Vesta and Ceres.